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NM State returns home for Senior Weekend versus Middle Tennessee.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Story and Photo By Matthew Knope for NMSU: Courtesy
TUCSON, Ariz. – NM State Softball visited Arizona for a two-game set on Tuesday. The Aggies dropped both to the nation’s 13th-ranked team, falling by scores of 3-0 and 13-0. The Crimson & White suffered their third and fourth shutouts of the season, with all coming against ranked opponents. The Aggies will turn to this weekend’s series against Middle Tennessee as they hope to rejoin the league’s top six with two weeks left to play in the regular season.
GAME ONE | NM STATE 0, #13 ARIZONA 3
Kathy Rodolph turned to senior Jaileen Mancha to start first in the circle against the highly-touted Wildcats. In her eighth start of 2025, the second-year Aggie held her own to earn her second complete game of the season. While the visiting bats were quiet, Mancha allowed just three runs with only one marked as earned.
In the bottom of the second frame, a leadoff walk was later followed up by a single through the left side. An ensuing Wildcat bunt led to an errant Aggie throw that made its way towards the corner in right field. By the time the ball returned to the infield, all three home baserunners scored, concluding the only play in which a run was tallied in the contest.
The rest of the way, Mancha allowed just two hits across her final four innings of work. The Las Cruces, N.M., native tallied a season-high three punchouts in a solid road showing against one of the most storied programs in the nation.
Meanwhile, the Aggie bats were stifled once again. The squad failed to pick up a run and posted two hits while striking out six times. For just the third time all season, NM State was shut out in the 3-0 defeat.
GAME TWO | NM STATE 0, #13 ARIZONA 13 (5)
The Wildcats controlled the nightcap, only allowing four hits while posting six home runs en route to a 13-0 rout. Riley Carley headlined the Aggie offense with a fourth-inning triple, but the Crimson & White failed to bring the Tucson native home.
Bella Clapp made her eighth start of the season at catcher in her home state. Johnna Aragon made her fourth appearance in the starting lineup at third base, while Joleeanna Hair earned the nod as designated player for the first time in her young collegiate career.
Ultimately, the Big 12 representatives were far too potent offensively to match. The home side produced 15 hits and scored multiple runs in each inning as they cruised to hand NM State its worst defeat since another 13-0, five-inning loss in 2023 versus No. 4 Oklahoma State.
UP NEXT
This weekend, NM State returns home for a three-game battle with Middle Tennessee. The series will be the last at home for the Crimson & White in 2025 as the hosts celebrate four graduating Aggies for Senior Weekend. Kathy Rodolph and company eye key victories as the squad looks to re-enter CUSA’s top six ahead of the postseason. All the action between the Aggies and Blue Raiders will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow via nmstatestats.com.
For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2025 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).
