LAS CRUCES, N.M. – On Sunday, NM State Softball reached higher ground, upsetting the nation’s 25th-ranked team in Liberty. Faith Aragon posted her sixth complete game of the season, holding the potent Lady Flames’ offense to just five hits and one run while also tallying six strikeouts. Devin Elam’s fifth home run of the season put NM State on top for good in the sixth inning. Kristiana Watson added some insurance later in the frame and sealed the deal on a 3-1 victory over Conference USA’s top seed.
The victory snapped NM State’s five-game losing skid, vaulting its record to 22-19 overall and 9-9 in CUSA play.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Faith Aragon and Paige Bachman entered the circle first for their respective squads on Sunday, with both establishing a pitchers’ duel early. Through four innings, there were only five combined hits and one walk, while five total strikeouts held both offenses scoreless.
In the fifth inning, Aragon racked up her fifth punchout of the afternoon as she forced a swinging miss from Liberty. The fastball gave the sophomore her first multi-strikeout inning of the day and was good for her 72nd batter sat down this season. In the bottom of the fifth, the home team also struck out twice as the low-scoring affair raged on.
As had been the case in each of the weekend’s first two contests, the Lady Flames struck first. In the top of the sixth, a pair of one-out walks set the stage for an RBI single that finally broke the scoreless tie.
Kathy Rodolph’s offense wasted no time in responding as Desirae Spearman drew her second base on balls of the day with one away. After a flyout brought the inning one retired batter away from closing, Devin Elam stepped to the plate. Facing a 2-1 count, the junior sent a high fly to right-center field that snuck just over the wall. The two-run shot gave Elam her 24th RBI this year and NM State its first lead of the weekend.
The ensuing pitch was a missile to left field for Lauren Garcia as the New Mexico transfer picked up her second hit of the afternoon. After Dot Richardson pulled Bachman in favor of Kaylan Yoder, Kristiana Watson squeaked out a double between the defending shortstop and left fielder. The two-bagger sent home a pinch-running Payton Nicholson home to finish with three runs on the board in the home half of the sixth.
Making her first start at second base this season, Bella Clapp snagged the final out of the game on a popout, securing a 3-1 victory for the Aggies’ first win over a ranked opponent since 2020 when they defeated No. 17 Arizona State.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- NM State remained in a tie with Middle Tennessee for sixth place in the CUSA standings at 9-9.
- Saturday’s contest was the 20th game this season in which NM State walked two or fewer batters.
- The Crimson & White improved to 4-7 all-time in matchups with the Lady Flames, holding a 2-3 record in Las Cruces.
- NM State climbed to 9-15 when its opponents score first this season.
- Kathy Rodolph’s squad is now 3-2 when tied after five innings in 2025.
- The Aggies are 15-1 when leading after six innings this season.
- NM State improves to 11-0 when opponents score between less than three runs.
- The Crimson & White are now 4-1 when scoring exactly three runs.
· Lauren Garcia clinched her 10th multi hit game of 2025 with a pair of singles on ...
