SEATTLE – New Mexico State softball concluded its first Western Athletic Conference series against Seattle U at Logan Field on Saturday. The Aggies fell 4-3 in eight innings to the Redhawks in the series finale.
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NM State (15-14, 1-2 WAC) and SU (43-12, 4-2 WAC) engaged in another pitcher's batter with starters
Kayla Green and Andie Larkins pitching four scoreless innings to start the contest.
In the fifth,
Chloe Rivas began a rally for New Mexico State with a single to start the frame. A wild pitch advanced the freshman to second and a sacrifice bunt by
Brandy Hernandez allowed Rivas to reach third. After
Kelsey Horton drew a walk,
Victoria Castro came through with a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring the first run of the game.
The bats stayed hot in the sixth with
Jeanelle Medina hitting a single to right field with two outs on the board. After
Casie Roberto walked, Rivas came up with an RBI single, extending the lead for the Crimson and White.
 New Mexico State posted a scoreless at-bat in the seventh and Green returned to the circle for the bottom of the frame. After recording the first out, the senior hit a batter and head coach
Kathy Rodolph brought in
Samaria Diaz to close out the contest. The junior allowed a single to the first batter she faced and Rodolph went back to Green in search of the final two outs. A single up the middle followed and the runners came home, tying the game 2-2.
With the contest in extra innings,
Mya Felder started the frame by being hit by a pitch. After
Caity Szczesny came in to run for the freshman, she advanced to third on a pair of groundouts. With Rivas at the plate, the freshman sent a ball to the SU second baseman who made an error, allowing Szczesny to score the go-ahead run.
New Mexico State was once again just three outs away from taking the series from the Redhawks when the squad entered the bottom of the eighth. After a groundout began the opposition's at bat, Green allowed a single to the next batter. A fielder's choice accounted for the second out but a home run to Madison Cathcart ended the battle, handing the team the 4-3 loss.
Green went 7.2 innings in the loss as she allowed three runs on five hits while striking out seven. Diaz faced a single batter but allowed a hit and was charged with a run.
The Aggies welcome New Mexico for a midweek clash at the NM State Softball Complex. First pitch from the doubleheader on April 2 is set for 4 p.m. MT.
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