LEESBURG, Fla. - The NM State softball team (5-10) relied on its pitching and defense in its 3-1 win over Central Michigan (1-4) and its 4-1 win over North Dakota (3-5) Friday afternoon at The Spring Games in Leesburg, Fla.

Game One vs. Central Michigan
Redshirt freshman Matalasi Faapito was phenomenal in both the circle and in the batter's box. Faapito shut down the Chippewas, as she threw her fourth complete game of the year while allowing just four hits and one run with three strikeouts.

The Aggies got on the board in the first inning, as redshirt freshmen Hailey Tanori and Ramsay Lopez each drew a walk to get things going for the Aggies. With Lopez on first and Tanori at third, Lopez stole second base and Tanori crossed home plate on the throw. The Aggies would add another run in the third thanks to Faapito's home run to left field. Tanori led off the fifth inning with a hit to increase her hitting streak to seven games. Faapito would bring Tanori home on a double to give the Aggies a three-run cushion.

The Chippewas got one run back in the sixth inning, but Faapito closed them out in the seventh inning for the Aggies' fourth win of the year.

Game Two vs. North Dakota
Junior Chloe Rivas had a career day in the circle to put the Aggies past the Fighting Hawks in extra innings. Rivas struck out a career-high seven batters while allowing just two hits and no runs in five innings pitched. Redshirt freshman Felicia De La Torre came in to relieve Rivas and was spectacular, as she did not allow a hit in the final three innings while striking out four batters.

The two teams were locked in a pitcher's duel until Faapito broke the tie with her second home run of the day to give the Aggies a 1-0 lead. North Dakota responded with a run of its own in the bottom of the sixth. De La Torre kept the Fighting Hawks in check in the seventh inning to send the game into extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning,Tanori started on second base due to the International Tie Breaker rule. Faapito would draw a walk, and junior Kayla Bowen would bring them both home with a one-out triple to give the Aggies the lead. Rivas brought Bowen home from third on sacrifice fly to increase the Aggie lead to three.

De La Torre finished off the Fighting Hawks in order in the bottom of the eight to secure the victory for the Aggies. 

Tanori recorded a hit in the seventh inning to keep her hitting streak alive which now sits at eight games.  

The Aggies will return to the diamond tomorrow morning at 11:30 a.m. for another doubleheader against Florida Gulf Coast and Middle Tennessee. Both games will be streamed live on FloSoftball with a paid subscription.

For updates throughout the season, follow the Aggies on Twitter (@NMStateSoftball), Instagram (@nmstatesoftball) and Facebook (NM State Softball).

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