LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After a 279-day wait, the Aggies returned to the NM State Softball Complex to open the program's historic 50^th season. Pitching headlined the day for the Aggies, who swept a pair of games against CAA member Monmouth off the back of complete games from Emily Dix and Desirae Spearman. 
 
Spearman, one of the most vaunted recruits in NM State history, flashed her dominance at the plate as well – finishing 3-for-6 with a triple and a home run over two games.  
 
GAME ONE | MONMOUTH 1, NM STATE 4
 
FIRST INNING
Senior pitcher Emily Dix got the start inside the circle for the Aggies on Opening Day, and wasted no time showing why she earned the nod. The Albuquerque native sat down a pair of Hawks to get the final outs of the inning and sent the Aggies up to bat. 
 
Dix would complete the game in the circle for NM State, allowing just one run on six hits while racking up five strikeouts. 
 
FIFTH INNING 
Scoreless through the first four innings of action, Kayla Lunar began the top of the fifth inning with a single to the left side of the infield. Jayleen Burton followed up with a bunt that was poorly handled by Monmouth, allowing the Aggies to put runners on second and third with no outs. Playing through injury, North Carolina A&T transfer Dezianna Patmon came into the contest and produced the first run of the season for NM State.
 
SIXTH INNING
Highly touted freshman Desirae Spearman recorded her first hit in the Crimson & White during the sixth inning, launching a ball deep into center field for a triple. Spearman would not stay on the basepaths long, as Preseason All-CUSA selection Riley Carley hit a single to left giving the Aggies a 2-0 edge. 
 
Belting six home runs in 41 games last season, Kendal Lunar began her sophomore campaign with a bang, blasting a solo home run to left field to give the Aggies a 4-0 lead through the first six frames. 
 
Monmouth would add a run in the top of the seventh, but NM State's defense held on for a 4-1 win.
 
GAME TWO | MONMOUTH 3, NM STATE 10
 
FIRST INNING
Beginning her NM State career at shortstop in the first game of the day, El Paso native Desirae Spearman got the call to step into the circle for game two. After an error allowed a Monmouth run to score, Spearman blew a pitch by Devin Coia to record her first collegiate strikeout and end the inning. 
 
The Hawks' lead would not last long as Jessica Carreon was able to score off a Riley Carley sacrifice fly, knotting the game at one apiece.
 
FOURTH INNING
Trailing 3-2, Desirae Spearman stepped up to bat, kicking off the fourth inning with a single to right field. Tabbing her first stolen base, those 60 feet would make a difference as senior Kayla Lunar elevated a ball to center field, scoring Spearman and tying the game at three. 
 
Dezianna Patmon recorded her first hit and RBI as an Aggie to give NM State a 4-3 advantage; a lead that would not be relinquished. Fourth-year infielder Kendra Levesque crushed an RBI double to put a cap on the four-run inning for the Aggies. 
 
FIFTH INNING 
Showcasing her skills from every part of the diamond, Desirae Spearman hammered a two-run homer to make it an 8-3 contest. A fielder's choice and a sacrifice fly brought the final two runs across, leading to the final score of 10-3 with the home team in front. 
 
Desirae Spearman on her first game experience as an Aggie: "I was pretty excited to play. We've been practicing really hard so I just took my opportunity and ran with it."
 
Kendal Lunar on the importance of getting off to a hot start:: "I think it's important because it can dictate how the season will go, so I was really happy that I started off hot."
 
Head Coach Kathy Rodolph on two wins: "I feel like they've been working since January 12. Five days of two-a-days then all of the other days of practice. They were so grateful to have someone in the other dugout and it showed today. The work that they put in to earn the right to be ready on gameday, I totally credit them with it. I think it was a great team effort."
 
UP NEXT 
The Aggies return to action at the NM State Softball Complex on Saturday afternoon, with a doubleheader against former WAC foe Abilene Christian. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m., with the second half of the doubleheader starting 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. The games will be broadcast on 91.5 FM KRUX, and available to follow via nmstatestats.com. 
 
For complete coverage of NM State Softball, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie Athletics - and follow the Aggies on Twitter (@NMStateSoftball), Instagram (@nmstatesoftball) and like us on Facebook (NM State Softball).