NM State Drops Series Finale to Sam Houston
Early pitching struggles put Aggies in a bind
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Aggies returned to the NM State Softball Complex Saturday for the third and final game of the series between Sam Houston. After taking the first two games from the Bearkats on Friday, it was Sam Houston who got the better of the Aggies on Saturday as they combine for seven runs on eight hits compared to the Aggies four runs on seven hits.
NM State pitching struggled to keeping the Bearkats off the bases throughout the game. Between Jordin King and Felicia De La Torre, Sam Houston drew six walks and two hit by pitches, placing 16 Bearkats on the base paths throughout the game.
On the other hand, the Aggies offense couldn't seem to catch a break when it came to getting runners into scoring position, only seeing six runners advance past first base while recording just two hits when they did get them into position.
GAME THREE | NM State 4, Sam Houston 7
First Inning
Jordin King got the nod for the Aggies in game three of the series, making her 14th appearance of the season. King struggled to find the strike zone in the first, walking a pair of Bearkats and allowing a single to load the bases. Sam Houston capitalized on King's struggles by adding two runs to their scoring line with another walk and single, putting them ahead 2-0 early in the first. King was able to bounce back later in the inning with a strikeout and a ground out, limiting the damage to just two runs.
Riley Carley and Kayla Bowen were successful in getting on base to lead the game off from the Aggies. After smacking her eighth home run of the season last night, Jillian Taylor rocked a ball down the left field line for a two RBI triple, driving in Carley from second and Bowen from first to even up the ballgame. Taylor later scored from third with a bunt single from the Aggies six-hole hitter, Jessica Carreon, giving them a 3-2 lead.
Fourth Inning
Sam Houston regained the lead in the fourth inning after Elia Hebel roped a three RBI double down the left field line to put the Kats back on top by two. The following batter proceeded to reach base via walk, putting another Bearkat into scoring position. The runner from second eventually scored on a ground out to third, bringing the Bearkat lead to three.
Seventh Inning
A leadoff single up the middle for Sam Houston put a runner on base in the seventh. The runner later swiped second base with a steal, putting a Bearkat in scoring position with nobody out. Back-to-back ground outs allowed the runner to score, putting the Bearkats up by four in the final frame.
Looking to mount their second consecutive comeback, the Aggies had their work cut out for them as they trailed Sam Houston by four runs. With one gone in the inning, Riley Carley launched her team leading tenth home run of the season to bringing the Aggies back within three of the Bearkats. However, this would be all the Aggies could produce as they drop game three of the series, 7-4.
Numbers to Note
23 – With her two RBIs Saturday, Jillian Taylor stands as the Aggies leader in this category with her 23 runs driven in on the year.
10 – Riley Carley belted her team leading tenth home run of the season, giving her three in her last five at-bats.
6 – After going 1-2 on the day, Kayla Bowen finishes the series by going 6-9 overall with three home runs and eight RBIs.
6 – The Aggies have recorded a homerun in each of their last six outings – 12 of their last 13.
Up Next
The Aggies will have to make a quick turnaround as they are scheduled to play I-10 rival UTEP on Tuesday (6 p.m.) before heading deep into the Lonestar State to take on Tarleton Friday for another three-game series.
