LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State softball took on Western Athletic Conference foe Utah Valley at the NM State Softball Complex on Friday. The Aggies topped the Wolverines 1-0 to start the three-game series.
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After a pair of scoreless frames, NM State (18-14, 2-2 WAC) rallied with a single by
Jeanelle Medina in the third. After Medina stole second,
Victoria Castro hit a single out to right field, allowing the junior to come home on the play and giving the Aggies the 1-0 advantage. Â
With the bats going quiet for the New Mexico State during the next two innings, UVU (11-18. 3-4 WAC) held the momentum in the sixth when starting pitcher
Samaria Diaz allowed a pair of singles and a walk, loading the bases without an out recorded. A popout and a strikeout put two Wolverines batters away before another strikeout ended the at bat, keeping the opposition scoreless.
Diaz came back to the circle looking to close out the game in the seventh. The pitcher faced the minimum and struck out the final three batters, giving NM State the 1-0 victory.
With the win, Diaz moved to 7-6 on the season. The junior allowed no runs and just six hits with 10 strikeouts in her 7.0 innings of work. Castro went 1-for-3 and recorded the lone RBI for New Mexico State.
The Aggies close out the series against the Wolverines with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 6. First pitch from the first contest is set for 4 p.m. MT.
