| Box Score 2 TUCSON, Ariz. - The New Mexico State softball team (18-17) had No. 8 Arizona (23-5) on the ropes in the fourth inning, but four runs in the sixth inning gave the Wildcats an 11-5 advantage over the Aggies Friday evening at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson, Ariz. NM State also dropped a 6-5 decision to Team Mexico in an exhibition game.

The Aggies found themselves in a quick 4-0 hole against the Wildcats, but the Aggie bats came alive in the fourth inning to tie the game at five. A walk and a single from Matalasi Faapito and Ramsay Lopez put the Aggies in prime scoring position to begin the inning. Kayla Bowen reached on a fielder's choice, and Antuanett Dean was able to slide into home plate safely to put the Aggies on the board. A walk from Maya Martinez loaded the bases and a passed ball brought Lopez home to cut the lead to three. Gabby Aragon stepped into the box and delivered with her first home run of the year to tie the game, leaving the hometown crowd stunned.

The Wildcats did not take long to respond, as they took the lead on back-to-back solo home runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Looking to put the Aggies away, the Wildcats loaded the bases, but Felicia De La Torre struck out back-to-back batters to keep the lead at two. 

The Aggies threatened again the fifth inning, as Faapito drove one off the wall in left field but was thrown out at second taking the breath out of the Aggies. NM State did not record a hit after Faapito's single, and the Wildcats scored four runs in the sixth inning to put the Aggies away. 

In the first game of the day, the Aggies showed no fear against the No. 5 team in the world, as the Aggies went toe-to-toe with Team Mexico in the 6-5 loss. Lopez had herself a day, as she hit two home runs, one in the first inning and one in the fourth inning. Chloe Rivas joined the home run party in the fifth inning to give the Aggies a 4-2 lead. Faapito went opposite on a solo home run in the sixth inning to extend the Aggies' lead to two. The Aggies took the two run lead into the bottom of the seventh, but back-to-back home runs from Team Mexico gave them the walk-off victory. 

The Aggies face Team Mexico and No. 8 Arizona again tomorrow in Tucson. The Aggies will face Team Mexico at 1 p.m. with the game against Arizona following at 4 p.m.

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