LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State softball hosted Kansas City for a Western Athletic Conference series on Friday at the NM State Softball Complex. The Aggies topped the Roos 7-0 during the series opener.
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NM State (25-19, 7-6 WAC) got off to a hot start with starting pitcher
Samaria Diaz striking out three UMKC (25-22, 5-8 WAC) batters. In the bottom of the frame,
Kelsey Horton drew a walk and advanced on a wild pitch before
Nikki Butler broke up the stalemate with an RBI single.
Mya Felder added to the Aggie lead with a two-run home run to left field.
Holding the 3-0 advantage, Diaz struck out the side in the second, sending the Crimson and White to the bottom of the inning.
Shelby Shultes started the at-bat with a single and
Casie Roberto reached when she was hit by a pitch. After a sacrifice bunt by
Brandy Hernandez advanced the runners,
Jeanelle Medina drove the pair home with a double, extending the 5-0 lead.
The offense for both teams went cold until the bottom of the sixth when Roberto hit a solo homer to put New Mexico State ahead 6-0. Hernandez continued the rally with a single and Horton brought the junior home with an RBI single of her own.
Needing three outs to complete the shutout victory, Diaz returned to the circle for the seventh. She hit the first batter she faced but forced the next batter to pop out. Butler caught the runner stealing for the second out and another pop out ended the 7-0 victory.
Diaz improved to 11-8 for her junior campaign when she pitched a complete game, her 12
th of the season. The pitcher allowed just one hit while striking out 11 batters.
New Mexico State closes out the series with a doubleheader against the Roos on Saturday, April 27, beginning at 4 p.m. MT. Following the series finale, the team is set to honor its seniors in a special ceremony.Â
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