Box Score CLERMONT, Fla. - The NM State softball team (3-9) prevailed in the eighth inning to take down the Stetson Hatters (1-2) 5-3 Sunday morning at Legends Way Field in Clermont, Fla. Sunday's win was the first time since May 10, 2019, that the Aggies have won in extra innings. 

Redshirt freshman Ramsay Lopez wasted no time in making her mark on the game, as she sent a two-run home run over the left field wall to give the Aggies a two-run lead in the top of the first. Redshirt freshman Matalasi Faapito got off to a hot start in the circle, as she allowed just one hit in the first three innings. Faapito would help herself in the circle with a solo home run in the top of the sixth to increase the Aggies' lead to 3-1. In the bottom of the seventh inning, the Hatters were able to push across two runs to tie the game, but with the bases loaded, Faapito was able to record the final two outs to send the game into extra innings.

In the eighth inning, the teams adopted the International Tie Breaker rule where a runner starts on second base in order to speed up the game. The Aggies wasted no time on bringing freshman Jayleen Burton home from second, as redshirt freshman Gabby Aragon's hard hit ground ball was too much for the shortstop to handle allowing Burton to cross home plate. Faapito would get her second RBI of the day with a sacrifice fly to give herself a two-run cushion heading into the bottom of the inning. Faapito did not give the Hatters a chance in the bottom of the inning, as she retired the side in order to give the Aggies its third win of the season.

Faapito pitched all eight innings for the Aggies and allowed just three earned runs and nine hits while striking out a season-high five Hatter batters. In the batter's box, Faapito recorded her first home run of the season and had a season-high two RBIs. 

The Aggies have its first midweek game of the year when they take on the sixth-ranked Florida Gators on Wednesday in Gainesville, Fla. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

For updates throughout the year, follow the team on Twitter (@NMStateSoftball), Instagram (nmstatesoftball) and Facebook (NM State Softball).

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