Softball: Aggies Faced No. 4 Oklahoma at Troy Cox Classic, Secured Win Against Montana

On Friday, NM State opened their weekend at the Troy Cox Classic with a doubleheader against No. 4 Oklahoma followed by Montana. The Aggies saw early sparks of offense in both contests, including multiple extra-base hits in the opener and a late surge in the nightcap. The Aggies made waves on Friday, splitting their first two games.

Saturday’s doubleheader against Minnesota and Idaho State limited the Aggies to flashes of brilliance on offense and defense, with standout performances from Faith Aragon, Devin Elam, and Taylor Baca. In game one, NM State battled back after a strong opening by Minnesota to fall 11-4 in the opener, falling to Idaho State 7-11 in the nightcap. Despite falling short in both games, the team compiled 20 total hits across the two contests, with seven different players logging multiple hits.

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The team will wrap up play at the Troy Cox Classic with two rematch games against Minnesota and Montana on Sunday. The Aggies look to bounce back from their losses earlier in the weekend as they face off against familiar opponents in a chance to make some noise before heading into the final day of competition.

NM State Splits Friday Contests at Troy Cox Classic

By  Izzy Palmasino

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State opened its weekend at the Troy Cox Classic on Friday afternoon at the NM State Softball Complex with a doubleheader against No. 4 Oklahoma and Montana. The Aggies saw early offensive sparks in both contests, including multiple extra‑base hits in the opener and a late surge in the nightcap. After a tough start against the Sooners, NM State responded with a strong all‑around performance to close out day one of the tournament.

Game 1 – No. 4 Oklahoma 18, NM State 6 (5 Inn.)
NM State struck early with three runs across the first two innings and added a three‑run homer in the third, but Oklahoma used big frames in the third and fifth to pull away. The Aggies totaled nine hits in the game, highlighted by extra‑base knocks from Devin Elam and a pair of home runs from Kendal Lunar.

Game 2 – NM State 8, Montana 3
The Aggies answered immediately in the second game, scoring in four innings and collecting 10 hits in an 8–3 victory. Faith Aragon delivered a complete‑game performance in the circle, while the offense put together a decisive four‑run sixth inning to break the game open. With balanced contributions and clean defense late, NM State closed the night with a confident win to wrap up the tournament’s opening day.

NOTABLES
• A trio of Aggies delivered multi‑extra‑base‑hit performances on Friday, highlighted by Kendal Lunar’s two‑homer outing and Devin Elam’s double and triple in the opener.
• Faith Aragon turned in a standout two‑way showing in game two, going 2‑for‑4 with two doubles and three runs scored while also earning the complete‑game win in the circle with eight strikeouts.
• Joleeanna Hair provided a key spark off the bench, recording a two‑RBI double during NM State’s decisive sixth‑inning surge against Montana.
• Victoria Redondo added an RBI double in the second inning of game two, helping the Aggies build early momentum in their 8–3 victory.
• The Aggies finished the day with 17 total hits across both contests, including seven extra‑base knocks.
• NM State held Montana scoreless in six of seven innings in the nightcap

Aggies Drop Two at Home

By Michael Navarrette

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State continued the Troy Cox Classic at the NM State Softball Complex on Saturday with a doubleheader against Minnesota and Idaho State. The Aggies battled through a high‑scoring opener before turning in a strong offensive showing in the final game of the day. Although the Aggies came up short in both games, they compiled 20 total hits, including a three-hit performance against the Bengals for Faith Aragon.

Game 1 – Minnesota 11, NM State 4 
Minnesota opened with a three‑run first inning, but NM State responded quickly with a three‑run second that included a home run from Bella Clapp. The Aggies recorded seven hits in the contest, with Devin Elam and Lauren Garcia each contributing doubles, while Minnesota pulled ahead with late scoring surges.

Game 2 – Idaho State 11, NM State 7 
NM State matched Idaho State early, highlighted by a leadoff home run from Faith Aragon and RBI swings from both Faith Aragon and Taylor Baca. The Aggies posted 13 hits, including home runs from Faith Aragon, Devin Elam and Taylor Baca – but Idaho State capitalized on big innings in the first three frames to maintain its advantage despite a late NM State push.

NOTABLES 

• Faith Aragon delivered a standout offensive performance against Idaho State, finishing with three hits, including a home run, a double and two RBIs.
• Devin Elam totaled three hits across the doubleheader, highlighted by a double against Minnesota and a home run in game two.
• Bella Clapp provided all three RBIs in NM State’s three‑run second inning in game one with her home run to left field.
• Taylor Baca added two hits and two RBIs in the nightcap, including a solo home run that represented the first home run of her collegiate career.
• NM State produced 20 combined hits across the two contests, with seven different Aggies logging multiple hits.

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).