LAS VEGAS - The New Mexico State softball team took down Portland State at Eller Media Stadium on Friday. The Aggies defeated the Vikings 11-8 for the team's first victory at the Rebel Classic.
The NM State (11-9) offense came out strong to start the game as Kelsey Horton hit a two-run home run to kick-off the game and give New Mexico State the early 2-0 advantage over Portland State (4-13). However, the Aggie advantage did not last as a two-run homer by Rachel Menlove tied the game.
In the top of the second, three-straight walks loaded the bases quickly and a double up the middle by Amy Bergeson scored a pair of runs with Rachel Rodriguez also coming home on the play due to a fielding error by PSU. Following the rally, NM State loaded the bases again and the watchful eyes of Stefani Duran and Shelby Shultes helped the batters draw walks and bring two-more runs for the team.
Holding a 7-2 lead, Analise De La Roca looked to capitalize on the advantage while in the circle, but after giving up a leadoff single, head coach Kathy Rodolph made the decision to bring in Kayla Green to relieve the freshmen. Green quickly loaded the bases without an out recorded and despite a double play in the inning, the Vikings posted another run.
New Mexico State maintained its momentum into the third when Rachel Rodriguez led off the Aggie at-bat with an infield single. Bergeson came up clutch once again, this time with a double down the left field line, to give NM State an 8-3 advantage.
After a scoreless fourth for both teams, the bats came alive for the Aggies, beginning with a single and a stolen base for Rodriguez. After Horton reached on an error to put runners on the corners, Nikki Butler put down a solid bunt to score the runner from third. Following a single by Victoria Castro that loaded the bases, a single up the middle by Duran brought home a pair of runs to give NM State the 11-3 lead.
In the bottom of the inning, Green and the NM State defense struggled as a single, a hit batter, and an error loaded the bases without an out on the board. The Vikings capitalized on New Mexico State's mistakes, bringing in four runs in the inning, including a home run by Kaela Morrow that cut into NM States 11-7 advantage. Green hit trouble once more in the following inning when she gave up another solo blast to the Vikings.
Rodolph again made a change to her lineup, bringing in Mikayla Bongi to close out the inning and the freshmen tallied the final pair of out in the inning for NM State while also pitching a scoreless seventh to close out the 11-8 New Mexico State victory.
Green moved to 7-5 with the win over the Vikings. The junior gave up five runs on eight hits while striking out a pair and only allowing a single walk in her 4.1 innings of work. Bongi earned her second save of the season as she allowed only one
New Mexico State continues its run at the Rebel Classic with on Friday afternoon with a contest against No. Washington. The game against the top-ranked Huskies is set to start at approximately 2:30 p.m. MT.
