LAS CRUCES, N.M.- New Mexico State softball’s junior Angie Ortega smacked a three-run bomb in the bottom of the seventh to push the game into extra innings. However, a strong Fresno State rally in the top of the eighth inning proved too much for the Aggies as they fell, 7-3, in the series finale, Saturday afternoon at the NM State Softball Complex.
Fresno State led the way 3-0 until the top of the seventh when the Aggies tied the ball game 3-3. In the top of the eight, the Bulldogs scored four runs to reclaim the lead and eventually take the game and the series.
NM State recorded a trio of hits in the ball game from the bats of sophomore catcher Hoku Nohara, senior first baseman Stacey Lien and Ortega. Ortega led the team in the RBI department with three.
In the circle, NM State’s senior right-handed pitcher Kim Watson had a strong performance, recording nine strikeouts against the Bulldogs. Watson is now only four strikeouts away from breaking NM State’s all-time strikeout record. She gave up nine hits and seven runs to the strong Fresno State bats.
Fresno State took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning. Senior second baseman Haley Perkins walked and was eventually driven in by Caitlin Stiglich.
The ‘Dogs added another run to their score in the top of the third off of two hits. Perkins singled to center field and was once again plated by Stiglich.
Then after a trio of scoreless innings, FSU extended the lead to three on a single hit. A solo Lisamarie Coronado homerun extended the Bulldogs lead to 3-0.
In the bottom portion of the inning, NM State rallied a bit of offense scoring three runs off of two hits. Nohara opened the inning with a walk and was followed by a Lien single. With one out on the board, Ortega smacked her seventh home run of the season to score three and knot the ball game, 3-3.
However, Fresno State bats came alive in the top of the eight, scoring four runs off of four hits. Michelle Moses hit a two-run home to take the lead, 5-3. Then back-to-back home runs from Nicole Angene and Coronado blew the game wide open as Fresno State took it largest lead of the game, 7-3.
The Aggie tried once again to battle back, but the Fresno State defense was ready and retired the Aggies one-two-three from groundouts, to end the game, 7-3.
The loss descends NM State’s record to 21-14 on the season and 1-4 in WAC play.
NM State is back in action, Friday April 4, as the Aggies hit the road to face Utah State, in Logan Utah. First pitch of Friday’s game is set for 3 p.m.
Courtesy: Tim Barnett-Queen
