SAN ANTONIO – After walking away from the opening weekend as winners of three of their first four games, NM State (4-4) has now lost three of its last four.
 
In the first game of the day and second game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi (5-2) in as many days, the Aggies were unable to maintain a three-run lead as the Islanders won 8-4.
 
However, NM State was able to finish the day on a high note as they used home runs from a trio of Aggies to defeat host UTSA (2-6) by a score of 4-2.
 
On the day, Jillian Taylor led the way for the Aggies as she went 2-5 at the plate while tallying one home run and one RBI. Kayla Bowen and Hannah Lindsay led NM State in the area of RBIs as both brought across two runs during the two-game Saturday.
 
In the circle, Aydenne Brown tallied the second win of her freshman season as she gave up just five hits during 6.0 innings of action while striking out 11 batters to become the first Aggie Pitcher since Samaria Diaz in 2019 to record back-to-back games with 10-plus strikeouts.
 
GAME ONE | Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 8, NM State 4
 
First Inning
The NM State bats arrived at the party early as Hannah Lindsay belted the first home run of her sophomore campaign after compiling eight in her debut season with the Aggies last season. Lindsay's shot over the right field wall put the Aggies ahead 2-0 as Jessica Carreon found her way on base via a walk.
 
Second Inning
Following a bottom half of the first inning in which Emily Dix tallied a pair of strikeouts, NM State extended their lead to three runs as Carreon punched a ball into left field to allow Riley Carley to score from second.
 
The second inning would go on to be the turning point as Texas A&M-Corpus Christi scored three runs of its own to even the score at three through two innings.
 
Fourth Inning
NM State would work two base runners in to scoring position with just one out away, however, the Islanders were able to turn a double play to close out the top half of the inning and turn away the threat posed by the Aggie offense.
 
Meanwhile, the Islanders went on to score five runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi was able to load the bases and despite NM State already having recorded a pair of outs, the Islanders used a walk and three singles to bring across a handful of innings.
 
Fifth Inning
The Aggies were able to recoup one run as Paige Knight connected on a pitch to notch her second home run of the year. Unfortunately, this would be the last hit of the game for the Crimson & White as they failed to close the deficit in their third game of the I-35 classic.
 
 
GAME TWO | NM State 4, UTSA 2
 
Third Inning
After the first two innings saw neither team produce any runs, the Roadrunners were able to tack on a couple in the bottom half of the third inning After a walk and a double put to runners in scoring position. Erykah Guerrero gave the Roadrunners the first lead of the game with a single through the infield, driving in both runners with the help of a throwing error, giving UTSA an early 2-0 lead. 
 
Fourth Inning
The Aggies answered the two-run fourth by the Roadrunners with a run of their own. It was the power-hitting freshman, Kendal Lunar, who got the Aggies on the board in the fourth with a leadoff solo shot to left field for the first home run of her young career. 
 
Sixth Inning
Two innings later the Aggies added another run off yet another leadoff homerun, which tied the game at two apiece. This time it was Jillian Taylor who sent a laser into right-center field for her second homerun of this early season. 
 
Seventh Inning
After holding UTSA scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, NM State had a chance to take a lead and head to the bottom of the seventh needing just three outs to seal the victory. Paige Knight led off the inning with a single through the left side and was later pinch ran for by Savanah Bejarano. This brought WAC Preseason First Team Selection Kayla Bowen to the plate with a chance to do some damage. And damage she did as she belted a ball to left center field which carried over the fence for a two-run homerun giving the Aggies a 4-2 lead heading down the stretch. 
 
Needing just three outs to seal the victory, Aydenne Brown stepped into the circle for her sixth inning of work after tossing 6.1 innings and ten strikeouts the day before. Brown continued her dominance by retiring the side in order while adding two more strikeouts to her total giving her 11 for the game and 21 for the weekend. NM State snaps its three-game skid as they rally past UTSA, 4-2. 
 
UP NEXT
The Aggies will play one more game tomorrow at 11:30 as they head back to San Marcos, Texas to face the other host of the 1-35 tournament, Texas State.