LOS ANGELES – New Mexico State softball faced Loyola Marymount at Smith Field on Monday afternoon. The Aggies fell to the Lions 3-2 to close their Golden State road trip.

NM State (21-18) fell behind early when starting pitcher Samaria Diaz hit a batter before a home run over the fence in left center field put LMU (28-16) ahead by a pair in the second inning. After hitting another batter, the junior surrendered a double, scoring the third run for Loyola Marymount.

Still trailing 3-0 in the fifth, New Mexico State began a rally when Jeanelle Medina hit a double with a pair of outs on the board. Kelsey Horton followed the junior with an RBI triple, scoring the first NM State run of the game.

Both teams went scoreless in the sixth, leaving the Aggies down to their final three outs. After a groundout took away one chance, Kayla Bowen came in to pinch hit and drove a homer to centerfield, leaving New Mexico State behind by just a run. However, a strikeout and a fly out ended the game, handing the NM State squad the 3-2 loss.

Diaz picked up the loss, pitching 6.0 innings and allowing three runs on three hits with seven strikeouts. Medina led the Aggies offensively, hitting 3-for-4 for the game.

The Aggies return to the NM State Softball Complex to host Grand Canyon for a three-game series. NM State battles the Lopes in the series opener on Friday, April 19 at 6 p.m. MT before facing off in a doubleheader on Saturday, April 20 with first pitch scheduled for 4 p.m.