SAN ANTONIO, Texas - NM State opened the UTSA "Birds Up Bash" Tournament on Friday with a dominant run‑rule win over Saint Francis before grinding out a late victory against tournament host, UTSA in the evening. The Aggies piled up 22 hits across the doubleheader, scored in five different innings and saw strong performances in the circle to start the weekend on a 2–0 note. 

Game 1 – NM State 10, Saint Francis 2 (5 Inn.) 

NM State struck for five runs in the first and kept the momentum going throughout the rest of the game. Johnna Aragon cleared the gaps twice and finished with three RBIs while Jade Valladares homered to center. Destiny Perez earned the win with 4.0 innings of three‑hit ball, and the Aggies totaled 11 hits with multi‑extra‑base swings from Faith Aragon, Karyme Amaya, and Johnna Aragon. 

Game 2 – NM State 5, UTSA 3 

In a tight evening, the Aggies scored single runs in the first, fourth and fifth before Devin Elam singled in the seventh and Johnna Aragon followed with a two‑run homer to restore the lead. Faith Aragon struck out 13 in a complete‑game effort, limiting the Roadrunners to five hits to lock down NM State's second win of the day.  

NOTABLES 

• Devin Elam turned in a six‑hit doubleheader, going 4‑for‑4 with a double and RBI vs. UTSA after scoring and driving in a run against Saint Francis. 

• Johnna Aragon posted four RBIs on the day, including a two‑run homer in the seventh inning at UTSA and a pair of run‑scoring doubles against Saint Francis. 

• Jade Valladares homered and added a bunt single in game one, finishing with two hits and two runs scored.  

• Lauren Garcia tallied four hits across the two games, including a run‑scoring triple in the first inning at UTSA.  

• Tamara Carranza drove in three with a pair of RBI singles to walk it off in five against Saint Francis and added a hit in the nightcap.  

• Faith Aragon went the distance vs. UTSA with 13 strikeouts to earn the win after reaching base twice and doubling in the opener scoring a new career high in strikeouts. 

NEXT UP 

NM State continues play at the Birds Up Bash on Saturday with another doubleheader at Roadrunner Field. The Aggies open the day at 10:30 a.m. against UT Arlington before returning to action to face UTSA at 3:30 p.m. The game against UTSA will stream live on ESPN+. 

For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2026 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).