LAS VEGAS, NV - The New Mexico State softball team rebounded from a pair of midweek losses to No. 2 Arizona by run-ruling Southern Utah 11-3 in six innings in the opening game of the Eller Media Stadium Classic in Las Vegas, Nev. New Mexico State got on the board in the first inning after leadoff batter Kylie Randall walked to start the game. Randall advanced to second on a passed ball and then advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kandis Jones. Following an Ashley Maroda walk , Hoku Nohara, singled up the middle to score Randall from third base.

After a scoreless second inning, the Aggies added to their one run lead in the bottom of the third after Kandis Jones reached base advancing to second on a throwing error by the shortstop and then advanced to third on a wild pitch. Ashley Maroda brought Jones home on a sacrifice to give the Aggies a 2-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fourth inning the Aggies would add four more runs off the bat of Hoku Nohara who hit a grand slam after Teresa Conrad, Kyle Randall and Kandis Jones all reached base. It was Nohara's seventh home run of the season as she improved to an impressive 4-for-4 in bases loaded situations.

Southern Utah would get on the board in the top of the fifth inning scoring three runs on Aggie starter Carissa Theis to cut the Aggie lead in half at 6-3. In the bottom of the fifth inning the Aggies would load the bases with no one out but would only be able to score one run as a Tiffany Autry walk would bring home Tehani Kaaihue to extend the Aggies' lead to 7-3.

After holding Southern Utah scoreless in the top of the sixth inning, the Aggies would once again load the bases, this time with just one out. Hoku Nohara was hit by a pitch to start the inning but was put out as Ashley Maroda reached base on a fielder's choice. Tehani Kaaihue would then reach on a fielder's choice as Maroda would advance to second. Tiare Jennings then singled up the middle to load the bases and then Teresa Conrad was hit by a pitch to bring Ashley Maroda across to extend the Aggie lead to 8-3. Ali Baumhover singled to left field bringing in Tehani Kaaihue giving the Aggies a 10-3 lead and then Shaleese Javillo singled down the right field line bringing home Tiare Jennings and Teresa Conrad giving the Aggies an 11-3 lead and invoking the run-rule.

Carissa Theis (4-3) picked up the victory for the Aggies going 4.2 innings allowing three runs, striking out two and walking two. Alex Newman pitched a third of an inning getting the final out in the top of the fifth and Torrey Schroeder pitched the sixth inning striking out one and walking one.

Kara Brendt picked up the loss for the Eagles as she went 3.2 innings giving up six runs on two hits while walking eight batters and striking out just two. Krisitina Brooks also pitched for the Eagles and she gave up five runs, all earned, on four hits walking one and striking out one.

The Aggies improved to 10-6 with the win while Southern Utah falls to 1-10.