ST. GEORGE, Utah - Nikki Butler's grand slam in the fifth inning powered the NM State softball team (24-18, 9-3) to an 8-6 win over Dixie State (18-24, 6-9) Saturday afternoon at the Karl Brooks Field in St. George, Utah. The Aggies have now won eight straight games in WAC play which is their longest WAC win streak since Apr. 4 - May 12, 2016, when the Aggies won nine straight games in WAC play. 

After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Aggies used some small ball in the third inning to cut into the Trailblazers' lead. Jayleen Burton executed the suicide squeeze to perfection to get the Aggies on the board. Hailey Tanori followed with an infield single to score Brianna Gallegos.

The Trailblazers answered with a solo home run in the bottom of the inning to extend the lead to two. The Aggies used some more small ball in the fourth inning, as Gabby Aragon laid down a bunt that the pitcher couldn't handle allowing Antuanett Dean to score. Matalasi Faapito shut the Trailblazers down in the bottom of the fourth inning to keep the Aggies within one. 

In the fifth inning, the Aggies drew back-to-back walks from Tanori and Faapito. Ramsay Lopez singled to load the bases, and Butler sent a line drive over the left field wall for her second grand slam of the season. The scoring did not stop there, as Aragon and Kayla Bowen hit back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second for Gallegos. Gallegos picked up her second hit of the day to score Aragon to extend the lead to four. 

The Trailblazers did not go down easily with a run in the sixth and seventh innings, but Chloe Rivas struck out the final batter to end the rally. 

Butler and Gallegos led the charge on offense, as they went a combined 7-for-8 in a game where the Aggies recorded 14 hits. In the circle, Faapito improved to 10-8 on the year. She pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed five earned runs on eight hits while striking out two. 

The Aggies will wrap up its home slate next Friday and Saturday against Utah Valley. Friday's doubleheader will begin at 3 p.m. with Saturday's series finale beginning at 1 p.m.

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Notes

• The Aggies extended its WAC winning streak to eight games. This is the longest streak since Apr. 4 - May 12, 2016, when the Aggies won nine straight games in WAC play. 
• The Aggies have won six-straight games to tie their longest winning streak of the season.
• Coming into this weekend, the Aggies were 3-10 in true road games. They are now 6-10 in true road games. 
• The Aggies pounded out 14 hits today. This is the second-most hits the Aggies have recorded this season. 
• Nikki Butler hit her second grand slam of the season today. This is the first time in her career tha Butler has hit two grand slams in a season. 
• Brianna Gallegos picked up three hits today, the most of her career as an Aggies. Gallegos is 6-for-11 in her last five games.