Written By: NM State Athletic Dept.

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The Aggie softball team broke school records for most runs scored in a game (28), hits in a game (26) and doubles in a game (6) as NM State defeated UTSA 28-7 in the night cap at the NM State Softball Complex, Saturday night. The Aggies improve to 5-0 on the season and 4-0 in the Hotel Encanto Invitational. UTSA falls to 2-2 on the year.

“I felt like we are starting to see the ball well and we were in rhythm,” head coach Kathy Rodolph said. “We believe we have an amazing offense and today we got it going. We got contributions from almost everybody on the team.”

Tiare Jennings led the offensive attack for the Aggies, going 4-of-5 with four hits, four runs scored and one RBI. Tehani Kaaihue went 3-of-4 at the plate with four runs and four RBI, while Ashley Maroda hit two homeruns, going 3-of-4 at the plate with four runs and four RBI. Amber Olive also did her part in the Aggies’ win, going 2-of-2 at the plate, with a homerun and five RBI to lead the team. The Aggies also tallied four homeruns in the game, moving their total to 11 in just five games this season.

Carissa Theis got the win for the Aggies with just one inning of work; she allowed one run on two hits and struck out two batters. Torrey Schroeder started the game but because she did not pitch three complete innings she could not be credited with the win. Schroeder gave up five runs on four hits and struck out three batters on the night.

The Aggies started the game off with the first three batters reaching base safely to load the bases. Hoku Nohara then stepped to the plate and hit a grand slam to give NM State a quick 4-0 lead on the Roadrunners. A double by Angie Ortega and a walk by Brittany Clifton put runners on second and first. Both would advance on a ground out by Teresa Conrad. Tehani Kaaihue then grounded to first base for the second out of the inning, with Ortega and Clifton still on second and third. Lauren Morizi then struck out swing to end the top of the first inning, as NM State led 4-0.

A one out double by the Roadrunners scored a runner from second who reached first on an error to start the inning and then stole second. Another Aggie error allowed UTSA to push another run across, cutting the NM State lead to 4-2, with two runners still on base. Torrey Schroeder then walked the next batter to load the bases with one out. A pop up got the second out of the inning but Schroeder walked the next batter to walk in a run, making it 4-3 with two outs. A ground out to third base ended the inning but not before UTSA cut the Aggies’ 4-0 lead to 4-3.

Kylie Randall led off the second with a base hit and then stole second to put the Aggies in scoring position. Kandis Jones then walked to put runners at first and second. Tiare Jennings then popped up to the first baseman for the first out of the inning. Nohara then grounded out to the second baseman and Randall was thrown out at home plate, as the double play ended the inning, as NM State continued to lead 4-3.

A base hit and two straight walks loaded the bases for UTSA in the bottom of the second with no outs. A wild pitch by Schroeder allowed runners at first and second to advance but the NM State catcher Clifton tagged out the third base runner who tried to steal home for the innings first out. Schroeder then struck out the next two batters to put a stop to the UTSA threat, as NM State hung on to the 4-3 lead after two full innings.

The Aggies started off the third inning with back-to-back singles by Ortega and Clifton to put runners on first and second with no outs. Shaleese Javillo would come on to pitch run for Ortega. Conrad then hit a sacrifice bunt to advance the Aggie runners to second and third. Kaaihue then doubled to the right field fence to score Javillo and Clifton, making it a 6-3 game. Ashley Maroda then pitched hit for Morizi. She took the first pitch from the UTSA pitch over the scoreboard in deep center for a two run shot, as NM State increased its lead to 8-3. Randall then hit a chopping base hit to the pitcher, as NM State had just one out in the inning. Jones then reached on an error by the short stop, allowing Randall to advance to second. A wild pitch by the UTSA pitch advanced the runners to second and third. Jennings then hit a single to center field, allowing Randall and Jones to score. Jennings would advance to third on a play to home as NM State extended its lead to 10-3. Nohara then struck out for the second out of the inning. Ortega then walked to put runners at the corners. Clifton then singled to score Jennings from third. Ortega and Clifton then advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. Conrad then walked to load the bases again with two outs. Ortega then walked in to score, Clifton scored on a single by Kaaihue, Conrad and Kaaihue scored on a wild pitch and Maroda hit her second home run of the inning to make it 16-3 after two and half.

The Roadrunners started off their half of the third with two singles to put runners at first and second. Schroeder was then replaced by Theis on the mound. Schroeder pitched two innings allowing three runs on four hits and striking out three batters. Theis then gave up a double to right, scoring one run for UTSA, cutting the Aggies’ lead to 16-4. The Roadrunners would add two more runs in the inning as UTSA scored three in the inning, as the score moved to 16-6 after three innings.

Jennings walked to start the Aggies’ half of the fourth inning. She then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Nohara then walked to put runners on first and second. Tiffany Autry then entered the game for Ortega. Autry would reach base on an error by the short stop. Jennings then scored on a passed ball, as Nohara and Autry advanced. Nohara then scored on a single by Ali Baumhover as NM State held an 18-6 lead with no outs. Conrad then singled to score Autry, making it 19-6. A walk by Kaaihue loaded the bases. Maroda then hit a two run single, scoring Baumhover and Conrad. Amber Olive then stepped to the plate with one out and hit a first pitch three run homerun to give the Aggies a 24-6 lead. The Aggies would add one more in the inning to make it 25-6.

The Roadrunners would threaten in the bottom of the fourth scoring one on a double to left field but that would be all that UTSA would score, as NM State held on to a 25-7 lead.

The Aggies would add three more in the top of the fifth to push their lead to 28-7. The Roadrunners couldn’t put any more runs on the board in the bottom the fifth as NM State won 28-7.

The Aggies will be back in action against I-10 rival UTEP in the final game of the Hotel Encanto Invitational on Monday, Feb. 15, beginning at 5 p.m., at the NM State Softball Complex.