LAS CRUCES, N.M. -- The NM State softball team kicked off its 2009 fall season with a weekend tournament against Central Arizona and Midland College. The Aggies went 3-0 on the weekend, allowing just six runs, as they defeated Central Arizona 18-0 and 11-5, Oct. 3 and Midland College, 15-1, Oct. 4.
On the weekend, the Aggies' offense was stellar. Hoku Nohara hit a perfect 8-for-8 at the plate with two homeruns, while Tiare Jennings was 9-for-11 with one home run and 11 RBIs. Kandis Jones also had a hot bat going 5-for-8 at the plate.
"Our number one goal this year is to be tougher both physically and mentally than any of our opponents and play the same whether we are up by 10 or down by 10," head coach Kathy Rodolph said. "We did a good job of handling weather adversity and maintaining an attack mentality throughout the weekend."
In game one against Central Arizona, Torrey Schroeder and Sydney Williard combined for a three hit shutout. Kylie Randall singled in the bottom of the first, followed by a Jones walk, as Jennings knocked Randall in for the first run of the game. Nohara then stepped up to the plate and cranked a three run shot to deep left field to break things open in the first inning. The Aggie offense continued to pour it on in the second inning, adding six more runs to the score board. The Aggie freshmen contributed in game one as well as Tehani Kaaihue knocked in a run in her first college at bat in the fourth inning and Teresa Conrad knocked in runs in consecutive innings.
"I expected our offense to be our strength," Rodolph said. "When you return seven starters from a lineup that put up the kind of numbers we did last year, I think it's fair to expect excellence. I was very pleased with how gritty our freshmen are. I love how hard they play the game and they will contribute to our team in a big way."
In game two, Randall and Jones ignited the Aggie offense again in the first inning with back-to-back singles and Jennings delivered the opening blow with a two run double. Nohara and Ashley Maroda lead off the second inning with back-to-back home runs and Angie Ortega and Brittany Clifton followed with back to back doubles scoring five runs total in the second inning. The Aggie defense committed only one error in both games against Central Arizona.
Freshman Carissa Theis pitched four scoreless innings and gave up only one hit and one free pass, while freshman Alex Newman pitched three innings, giving up five runs, three of them earned.
Against Midland College, Randall drew a leadoff walk and Jones singled through the left side to begin the game. Jennings stepped up and blasted a three-run shot to deep centerfield to give the Aggies an early 3-0 lead. Nohara singled and Ortega followed Jennings lead and crushed the first pitch she saw deep over the center field wall for a two-run shot, giving NM State a 5-0 lead. Jennings was not done as she hit a leadoff home run in the second inning. Clifton led off the fourth with a solo home run as well. Freshman Amber Olive went 2-for-4 with two doubles and two RBI in the game.
Schroeder pitched four innings and surrendered only one unearned run while striking out four batters.
Sydney Williard was stellar again pitching three scoreless innings and giving up no hits and one walk while striking out three.
"I was anxious to see how our pitchers competed and handle adversity," Rodolph said. "Our staff is new and mostly inexperienced so I was really happy to see them compete and control the tempo of the game. We still have lots to work on but we are starting at a good spot."
The Aggies will be back on the field this Sunday, Oct. 11 as they play host to Eastern Arizona College. Game times are noon and 2 p.m. at the NM State Softball Complex. Admission is free.
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
