Softball: Aggies Open Conference USA Tournament With Doubleheader Split

The Aggies delivered a composed pitching performance in the first game and showed offensive resilience in the nightcap.

Source: NMSU Athletics
By Izzy Palmisano
Photos: Courtesy

NEWARK, Del. – NM State opened its Conference USA tournament run Friday with a challenging doubleheader, facing #8 Sam Houston in the opener before matching up with #4 Delaware later in the day. The Aggies delivered a composed pitching performance in the first game and showed offensive resilience in the nightcap. NM State split the day with a shutout win in game one before falling despite a late rally in game two. 

NM State secured a statement victory over #8 Sam Houston, scoring three runs on three hits while holding the Bearkats scoreless. Kendal Lunar powered the offense with two solo home runs, striking in the second and again in the fourth, before Tamara Carranza followed with her own home run later in the inning to provide separation. Faith Aragoncontrolled the game from the circle, limiting Sam Houston to three hits and striking out 11 in the complete‑game shutout. 

The Aggies battled throughout the nightcap against #4 Delaware, producing seven runs on nine hits after falling behind early. NM State surged late with a six‑run sixth inning, highlighted by a grand slam home run from Madi Bachman and run‑scoring hits from Kendal Lunar and Destan Burks. Delaware answered with a four‑run bottom of the inning to hold off the comeback and claim the second game. 

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NOTABLES  

• Faith Aragon turned in a dominant performance in the opener, recording a complete‑game shutout with 11 strikeouts against Sam Houston. 
• Faith Aragon’s 11 strikeouts in the opener marked the most by an Aggie in a Conference USA Tournament game since 2016. With her performance in the circle,  Faith Aragon moved into second place in NM State program history for strikeouts in a single season, now totaling 232 strikeouts on the year.
• Kendal Lunar homered twice in the opener and finished the doubleheader with multiple extra‑base hits and three RBIs. 
• Tamara Carranza added a two‑run home run in game one and continued to contribute offensively against Delaware. 
• Madi Bachman provided the biggest swing of the day in game two with a grand slam home run during the Aggies’ sixth‑inning rally. 
• Devin Elam finished 3‑for‑3 in the nightcap and scored twice, reaching base consistently throughout the day. 
   

NEXT UP 

NM State will continue Conference USA play on Thursday, May 7, with first pitch set for 3 p.m. ET at the Delaware Softball Diamond. The Aggies’ opponent will be LA Tech, a team they swept in Las Cruces during the regular season. 

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).