LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The NM State softball team (9-10) is looking to continue its six-game win streak with a doubleheader against South Florida (3-6) Wednesday afternoon in Tampa, Fla. The doubleheader will begin at 1 p.m. at the USF Softball Stadium with both games being broadcasted live on ESPN+ with a paid subscription.

Catching Fire
The Aggies had one of its best six game stretches in three years, as the Aggies went 6-0 at The Spring Games. The Aggies have won six straight games and seven out of its last eight games. The Aggies' six-game win streak is the longest win streak since Mar. 21-31 in 2018 when the Aggies also won six straight games.

Late Inning Magic
The Aggies have played a staggering four extra inning contests so far in 2021 and have won all four. The Aggies had two walk-off wins on Sunday afternoon, as redshirt freshman Hailey Tanori drove in two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to defeat South Dakota, and redshirt freshman Ramsay Lopez hit a walk-off home run to defeat Toledo. The Aggies are 7-0 in games decided by two runs or less.

Aggie Rundown
The Aggies returned its top five hitters from the 2020 season, and they have all shined so far in the 2021 season. 

Matalasi Faapito had one of the best weekends of her career in the batter's box this last weekend, as she went 10-20 for a .500 average with six RBIs and three home runs. Faapito currently leads the team in batting average (.385), RBIs (10), slugging percentage (.750) and on-base percentage (.433). 

Tanori has been one of the most consistent Aggies in the batter's box, as she has recorded a hit in 10 out of the last 11 games and in 15 out of the team's 19 games this spring. Tanori also leads the teams in steals with five.

Junior Kayla Bowen has been a nice surprise for the Aggies, as she is hitting .250 on the year with three doubles and five RBIs. She smacked her first home run of the year against #5 Florida on Mar. 5

The Aggies continue to get its power from Lopez. Lopez has hit four home runs on the year and has knocked in a eight RBIs.

Redshirt senior Nikki Butler usually finds her way on base, but it may not be in the most conventional way. Butler is well on her way to break her own single-season hit-by-pitch record. Butler set the record in 2018, as she was hit 18 times, and so far in 2021, Butler has been hit nine times, which leads the NCAA. 

In the circle, the Aggies found its ground last weekend at The Spring Games, as they allowed just six earned runs in six games for a 0.91 ERA on the weekend. Faapito was terrific pitching two complete games against Central Michigan and Florida Gulf Coast. In 17.1 innings, Faapito allowed just nine hits and three earned runs. Against Florida Gulf Coast, she struck out a career-high nine batters and did not allow a hit in the final four innings. Chloe Rivas and Felicia De La Torre also had great weekends striking out a combined 25 strikeouts and allowed just three earned runs. 

Scouting the Bulls
South Florida will come into Wednesday's doubleheader with a 3-6 record with two wins over Florida Atlantic and a win over Jacksonville. The Bulls are led by redshirt junior Bethaney Keen who is hitting .227 with four RBIs. In the circle, Georgina Corrick has been phenomenal for the Bulls with a 2.22 ERA and a 2-3 record.

Last Time Out
The Aggies got back on track last weekend at The Spring Games, as they went 6-0 to improve to 9-10 on the year. The Aggies defeated Central Michigan (3-1), North Dakota (4-1), Florida Gulf Coast (2-1), Middle Tennessee (4-2), South Dakota (2-1) and Toledo (4-2).

Up Next
The Aggies will have its first weekend off of the 2021 season but will return to the diamond on Mar. 19-21 at the GCU Invitational in Phoenix, Ariz., with three games against Idaho State and two games against Southern Utah.

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

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