STEPHENVILLE, Texas –Despite a late offensive surge, the Aggies (18-19, 7-8 WAC) fell 8-7 in a crucial rubber match on the road at Tarleton (24-22, 8-7 WAC).
 
Kayla Bowen shined once again as her three-run home run helped her finish the game with a team-high three RBIs. Meanwhile, Kristen Boyd turned in a solid performance as she finished 2-2 with a double and a walk.
 
In the circle, Aydenne Brown did the bulk of the work as she pitched 3.1 innings while recording four strikeouts to move her season total to 83. Emily Dix also worked an effective 2.1 innings – giving up just three hits and allowing zero runs on her watch.
 
SECOND INNING
Following a first inning in which each team's starting pitcher opened the game with a three up, three down showing, Tarleton found home plate first as a bases-loaded single from Amanda DeSario combined with an Aggie error brought in two runs.
 
THIRD INNING
In need of a response, NM State received a leadoff double from Kristen Boyd to put a runner in scoring position just two pitches into the third inning. Boyd's double was then followed with a bunt down the third base line from Jayleen Burton. A throwing error not only allowed Burton to reach first base safely, but it also provided an opportunity for Boyd to round third and pull the Aggies back within one run and no outs down.
 
Unfortunately, an unlucky bounce and a defensive gem from Tarleton put an end to the offensive half of the inning for the Aggies.
 
FOURTH INNING
Aydenne Brown then did her part in the circle as she retired all three batters she faced in the third inning to leave Tarleton's lead at just one run. Once again a hard-hit ball led off the inning for the Aggies as Riley Carley hit a no-doubt home run over the left field wall to pull NM State even at two.
 
The solo home run from Carley was responded with a strong bottom half of the inning from Tarleton as the Texans turned four hits into six runs to take an 8-2 lead while also forcing Kathy Rodolph to change pitchers twice as Laurali Patane got the call to relieve Brown before Emily Dix entered the circle for Patane.
 
FIFTH INNING
For the second time in the game, Kristen Boyd reached base to lead off the inning – giving the Aggies immediate life after the Tarleton outburst. Two batters later, Boyd scored from first on what appeared to be a routine pop fly into shallow left field off the bat of Kayla Bowen. Instead, Boyd sprinted 180 feet to score while Kayla Bowen ended the play on third thanks to a Texan throwing error that saw the ball roll into foul territory down the right side.
 
Hannah Lindsay then brought home Bowen with a single through the right side of the infield in the very next at-bat – pulling the Aggies to within four runs.
 
SIXTH INNING
With Emily Dix maintaining control in the circle, NM State came to the plate in the sixth still down four runs. After Gabby Aragon and Kristen Boyd reached base, the Aggies' hottest hitter came to the plate with two outs. As she has done for the last two weeks, Kayla Bowen delivered in the game's most important spot, hitting a three-run home run over the left field wall to draw the Aggies within just one run. Unfortunately, this would be the final run scored for either side as the Aggies dropped the Saturday rubber match.
 
UP NEXT
With the difference between first and eighth place in the WAC standings at just two games, each outing becomes more and more important down the stretch. The next set of important games for the Aggies will come in their home ballpark this weekend as they get set to host UT Arlington in a three-game series beginning Friday evening with a doubleheader.
 
First pitch for the Aggies and Mavericks opener is scheduled for 4 p.m. while Saturday's contest is set to begin at 1 p.m.