The New Mexico State softball team scored 27 combined runs in a doubleheader sweep of San Jose State to start WAC play at 3-0. The Aggie offense pounded out 22 hits including six home runs as Ashley Maroda, Teresa Conrad and Valerie Swedberg each hit a pair of homers in the doubleheader.

The Aggies rolled to a 9-0 shutout behind a stellar outing from sophomore starter Alex Newman who allowed just one hit in the run-rule victory. In the second game of the doubleheader, the Aggies scored the first run of the game but fell behind 8-1 after a seven run outburst by the Spartans in the top of the third inning. The Aggies responded with a staggering blow in the bottom of the inning scoring 11 runs including a grand slam from Ashley Maroda to spark the outburst. The Aggies would tack on six more runs in the bottom of the fourth after the Spartans scored one in the top of the inning. Alex Newman came in to the game in relief and allowed just two runs over the final 3.1 innings.

GAME ONE
Freshman Valerie Swedberg put the Aggies on the board first in the third inning with a leadoff home run to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead. New Mexico State would add three more runs in the fourth inning scoring all three runs with two outs as Kandis Jones delivered a two RBI single scoring Kylie Randall and Tehani Kaaihue. Jones would come around to score on an RBI single from Hoku Nohara giving the Aggies a 4-0 lead heading to the fifth inning. After Newman sent the Spartans down in order in the top of the fifth, the Aggies would deliver the knockout blow as they would get back-to-back home runs from Teresa Conrad and Ashley Maroda to start off the inning. Brittany Clifton and would be pinch ran for by Shaleese Javillo. After Javillo stole second, Tehani Kaaihue would single to put runners at the corners with nobody out. Valerie Swedberg would come to the plate and belt her second home run of the game, a three run home run to end the game via the run-rule.

Swedberg finished the game 2-for-3 with four RBIs including a pair of home runs. Kandis Jones finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and Teresa Conrad and Ashley Maroda each added a home run.

Alex Newman improved to 13-2 going the distance allowing just one hit while striking out one and walking two.

GAME TWO
The Aggies scored the first run of the game in the first inning but fell behind 8-1 after two and a half innings after the Spartans scored seven runs in the top of the second inning. Alex Newman would come in to get the final out of the second inning. Newman would allow a run in the top of the third as the Spartans their seven run lead.

The Aggie offense would awaken as they would load the bases to start the inning and Ashley Maroda would belt a grand slam to cut the Aggies' deficit to 8-5. The Aggies would get an RBI single from Alyssa Ruiz to cut the Spartans' lead to 8-6. Kylie Randall would reach on a fielder's choice bringing home another Aggie run to cut their deficit to 8-7 and then after loading the bases, Tiare Jennings would draw a walk to tie the game at 8-8. Hoku Nohara would be hit by a pitch to give the Aggies a 9-8 lead and Valerie Swedberg would follow with a double to drive in a pair of runs to give the Aggies an 11-8 lead. After loading the bases again, Teresa Conrad would draw a walk to give the Aggies a 12-8 lead. The inning would end for the Aggies on a double play.

The Spartans would add a run in the top of the fourth inning to cut the Aggies' lead to 12-9 but the Aggies would score six more runs in the bottom of the inning as Teresa Conrad would belt a two-run home run to cap the six run inning that gave the Aggies an 18-9 lead.

Newman would hold the Spartans scoreless in the top of the fifth to give the Aggies a run-rule victory.

Ashley Maroda finished the game 2-for-3 with six RBIs while Teresa Conrad and Valerie Swedberg each finished with three RBIs.

Alex Newman pitched the final 3.1 inning giving up a pair of runs and picked up the win to improve to 14-2 on the season.

The Aggies move to 22-10 on the season and 3-0 in WAC play.