NM State wraps up 50th season in program history with 30 wins.
Source: NMSU Athletics
Story and Photo By: Matthew Knope for NMSU
The 50th season in New Mexico State Softball history came to an end on Friday. The Crimson & White fell in two CUSA Championship Games, ultimately falling to Liberty on the Aggies’ home field. The conference’s fourth overall seed made a deep run in the championship but fell one win shy of the title game in what would have been a rematch with Western Kentucky. The Aggies finished the season 30-25 overall with wins over 18 programs, including all eight CUSA opponents.
On the day, NM State was led by Kristen Boyd and Kayla Lunar who each tallied home runs in the night cap to account for three of the Aggies’ four RBIs on the day. Ultimately, the offensive struggles proved to be costly as NM State managed just nine hits and four runs across their final two games of the season.
The season ultimately comes to an end following 30 wins during Head Coach Kathy Rodolph‘s 21st season at the helm. The Aggies won nine more games in 2024 than in 2023 (21-25).
HOW IT HAPPENED
Game One | NM State 2, Western Kentucky 7
Unlike the first two days of the tournament, NM State saw its opponent strike first as Western Kentucky hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead and early control of the momentum. Following a pair of errors from the Aggie infield, WKU added three more runs as a bases-loaded double from Sophie Weber put the Aggies in a six-run hole. Desirae Spearman eventually gave the home crowd something to cheer about as she fielded a fly ball before turning a double play by gunning out the WKU runner who was sagging off second base.
Eventually, the Aggies settled in and worked their way onto the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. Spearman tallied NM State’s first hit of the game before working her way over to third base thanks to a single from Dezianna Patmon in the ensuing at-bat. Spearman then came in to score when Devin Elam put a ball in play – shaving the Aggie deficit down to five runs. The Aggies’ first scoring inning was then followed by the Hilltoppers’ third-straight scoreless frame.
Later, Western Kentucky would add an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth to move ahead 7-1. In need of six runs, NM State was only able to muster one run across the final two innings.
Game Two | NM State 1, Liberty 0
After hanging 11 runs on the Flames on Thursday, the Friday matchup quickly turned into a pitcher’s duel as neither NM State nor Liberty could score in the first two innings of action. The Aggies were finally able to break the seal in the third as Kristen Boyd smashed a leadoff home run to give the Crimson and White a narrow advantage.
Later, the Flames responded with a solo home run of their own as Rachel Roupe tallied the first hit and the first run of the game for Liberty evening the game at one apiece. Liberty then added a second run with a two-out, bases-loaded single off the bat of Brooke Roberts.
Liberty then added a crooked number in the bottom of the sixth as a two-run home run capped off by a three-run home run and left the Aggies trailing by four runs entering the final frame.
Like it has all season, NM State refused to quit as the top of the seventh began with a hard-hit single from Riley Carley before Jayleen Burton reached via a walk in the next at-bat. Boyd then did her best to assist with a comeback as she shot a ball into right field. However, the Flames’ outfielder leapt up and snagged the ball before turning a double play at second base as the Aggie runners had already begun to make their way around the bases when the ball was caught. This play proved to be costly as Kayla Lunar smashed a two-run home run on the first pitch of the next at-bat to bring the Aggies back within two scores. Unfortunately, this would be the last gasp for the Aggies as Liberty put the game away two pitches later.
Boyd and Lunar produced the Aggies’ seventh and eighth home runs of the tournament, moving the team into sole possession of second-most home runs in CUSA Championship history.
For complete coverage of NM State Softball during the 2024 season, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of the Aggies – and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Softball), Twitter (@NMStateSoftball) and Instagram (@NMStateSoftball).
