CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – New Mexico State softball continued the Mary Nutter Classic with a contest against North Carolina on Friday night. The Aggies topped the Tar Heels 6-2 for their first win at the tournament.
How It Happened
NM State (8-3) got out to a hot start in the opening frame with Kelsey Horton leading off with a single. After advancing to second on a groundout, the senior was able to score following an error by the UNC (6-5) shortstop when Nikki Butler put the ball into play.
However, the lead for the Aggies did not last and after an error led a Tar Heel runner to reach third, a double to left center tied the contest in the second. The momentum continued in North Carolina's favor when the team added a run in the third, breaking up the stalemate.
Despite a scoreless fourth and fifth by both teams, a rally started for New Mexico State in the sixth when Butler reached on a walk and an error by North Carolina during Kayla Bowen's at bat put runners on the corners without an out on the board. With Caity Szczesny at the plate, the junior shocked the defense with a bunt, scoring the runner from third tying the contest 2-2. A single by Jeanelle Medina broke up the stalemate and gave the Aggies the 3-2 lead, but the offense was not done.
Kennedi Sorensen came in the pinch hit and despite hitting into a fielder's choice, Szczesny was able to come home on an error by UNC. Horton brought in the fifth run of the game when a deep sacrifice fly to right field was enough for Medina to score, Victoria Castro drove in the final run after hitting a double to left center, giving NM State the 6-2 advantage.
Needing three outs to seal the victory, head coach Kathy Rodolph let starting pitcher Analise De La Roca finish what she started. The sophomore allowed the leadoff runner to reach on a walk but a pair of groundouts and a bunt resulted in the final three outs, giving NM State the win.
De La Roca pitched a complete game and allowed two runs on eight hits while striking out a pair. She moves to 2-0 on the season with the victory.
The Aggies continue the Mary Nutter Classic with a pair of games on Saturday. NM State faces off against Cal at 6 p.m. MT and follows the contest with a game versus Mizzou at 8:30 p.m.
