PHOENIX – The New Mexico State softball team closed out a Western Athletic Conference series with Grand Canyon at the GCU Softball Complex on Saturday. The Aggies took down the Lopes 2-0 in the series finale.

"I felt like Kayla made quality adjustments in the circle today and the defense backed her up," head coach Kathy Rodolph said. "It was nice to see Samaria come in and close the game out. Together, we got better as a team."

NM State (23-16, 8-1 WAC) came out hot with a two-out double by Victoria Castro in the top of the first. Nikki Butler followed the junior with ground ball to third but an error by GCU (22-22, 3-5 WAC) allowed the sophomore to reach and Castro to score on the play.

After a scoreless second for both teams, New Mexico State started another rally in the top of the third, beginning with Butler being hit by a pitch. Amy Bergeson drew a walk to put runners on first and second with two outs and Caity Szczesny at the plate. The sophomore hit a single to centerfield and Butler came around to score, adding to the Aggie advantage.

Kayla Green battled in the circle from the start, pitching scoreless inning after scoreless inning for New Mexico State. In the bottom of the seventh, the junior allowed a one-out triple with NM State hanging on to a 2-0 lead. Rodolph looked to Samaria Diaz to close out the contest and the sophomore struck out the first batter she faced and a groundout to the pitcher ended the contest, securing the victory.

Green improves to 13-8 as the junior pitched 6.1 innings and allowed just four hits while striking out one and allowing a single walk. Diaz picked up her second save this season when she pitched 0.2 innings and recorded a strikeout.

For their next contests, the Aggies hit the road to take on No. 12 Arizona. The doubleheader against the Wildcats is scheduled for Wednesday, April 18, with first pitch set for 5 p.m. MT.