ST. GEORGE, Utah – After dropping the first two games of the series, the Aggies were back looking to close out the series in Utah on a positive note. Laurali Patane got the call to pitch in the circle today looking to secure the Aggies victory and head coach Kathy Rodolph's 750 career win. This is how it went:

FIRST INNING
Aggies got to a hot start getting five consecutive hits to start the game. The Aggies were able to get on the board first after the three-hole hitter Ramsay Lopez hit a three-run home run giving the Aggies the early 3-0 lead. Those would be all the runs that would come across though after a double play and a fly out to right field ended the inning. 

Dixie State was able to answer back quickly in the bottom of the inning with a home run of their own. After the leadoff hitter singled to left-center, the Trailblazers' three whole hitter slashed a two-run home run to right field, giving the Trailblazers their first two runs of the day. The score was now 3-2

SECOND INNING 
The top of the second started with two quick outs to the bottom of the order, bringing back the top of the lineup for the Aggies. Hailey Tanori and Madison Muxen were both able to single again and move into scoring position setting up the Aggies with a chance to add to their lead. Ramsay Lopez, who hit a home run her first time up, drew a walk to load the bases setting up the senior first baseman, Kayla Bowen with a change to do more damage with two outs. Bowen then drove in Tanori and Muxen by slapping a double to right field, extending the lead 5-2. Hannah Lindsay then singled to left field, driving in Lopez from third, giving the Aggies a 6-2 advantage. 

Laurali Patane was back in the circle for the second and was able to get the lead-off hitter out with a soft ground ball to third base but gave up a walk to the next batter. The next hitter then corked a ball to left-field for a two-run home run again, cutting into the Aggie lead. The score was now 6-4. 

THIRD INNING
Paige Knight let off the top of the inning by smashing her fourth home run of the year over the right-center wall extending the lead to 7-4. After a strikeout to Kristen Boyd, Jayleen Burton was able to reach base via an error by the Trailblazers shortstop. Hailey Tanori then got on base for the third time today by drawing out a walk, putting another runner in scoring position for the Aggies with only one out. Muxen then grounded out but advanced both runners up a base giving the Aggies two runners in scoring position with two outs. This brought up the Aggie power hitter Ramsay Lopez who has already done some damage. She singles through the left side, bringing in both runners and extending the lead 9-4.

The Trailblazers were able to get runners on the corners after an error, single and fielders choice put two runners on with two out. A single up the middle allowed the runner from third to score, cutting the DSU deficit to 9-5. That would be the only run of the inning for the Trailblazers.

FOURTH INNING
The Aggies couldn't get any runs across in the top of the fourth despite getting a couple of runners on base. 

The Trailblazers were able to capitalize on a two-out error that allowed the batter to reach third base and later score on a two-out double to left-center, making the score 9-6. This would be enough to take Laurali Patane out of the game after allowing seven runs (four earned). Kayla Bowen would be the one to replace her in the circle. The first batter that Bowen would face singled up the middle scoring the runner from second, but the batter was caught trying to extend the single to a double, ending the inning on a close play at second. The score was now 9-7. 

SEVENTH INNING
After back-to-back scoreless innings, the Aggies headed into the seventh, still leading 9-7 but looked to add some more insurance before giving the bats back to the Trailblazers. Hailey Tanori reached base on a two-out single through the left side and later stole second base. Gabby Aragon followed by doubling to center field, driving in Tanori and extending the lead to 10-7. 

The Trailblazers would not go down without a fight, however. A single and a home run brought the life back into the DSU lineup, shortening their deficit to one run and no outs. The following batter singled to the second baseman bringing the winning run up to the plate with no outs. A ground out and a flyout advanced the runner to second but gave the Aggies two outs in the inning. The next batter singled up the middle setting up a potential play at the plate, but the runner held up at third, and now the winning run was on first with two outs. A single would guarantee a tie for the Trailblazers, and if something got into the gap, it could bring home the winning run from first. None of those things happened, though, as the battler sent a line drive up the middle that smelled like trouble at first but found its way into Burtons glove to secure the win.

Number 750
This win marks the 750 career win for long time Aggie head coach Kathy Rodolph's Career. This also marks her 550 career win as the Aggie head coach dating back 19 years at the helm.

UP NEXT
NM State will head out west to Phoenix to take on Grand Canyon for the second time this season; Double header on Friday and a single game on Saturday. Fans can watch the action on ESPN+ and can follow along with live stats at nmstatesports.com. For updates and exclusive content throughout the season, follow the Aggies on Twitter (@NMStateSoftball), Instagram (@nmstatesoftball) and like us on Facebook (NM State Softball).