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Seven-run first inning highlights dominant Monday win over Montana.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Matthew Knope
Photo By Emilio Garcia for NMSU: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The 2025 Troy Cox Classic came to a close on Monday and the Aggies finalized a six-game weekend with a convincing 11-0 drubbing of Montana. Seven runs came to cross during the first inning, setting the tone early in what would be a smooth victory for the home team. The five-inning affair boosted the Crimson & White to 8-4 on the season as they embark on three straight weekends away from home.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Taking the starting nod in the circle for the Crimson & White, Desirae Spearman made quick work of the Grizzlies’ lineup, going 1-2-3 on 13 pitches. In the bottom half of the inning, the Aggies exploded for seven runs, showing discipline in drawing six walks.
The first five batters reached safely, including four via walk, broken up by a three-run double to left field from Kristiana Watson. With three runs on the board and only four strikes through 20 pitches, Montana was forced into a pitching change before recording an out. Shortly after, a Kayla Lunar single scored Watson, expanding the lead to 4-0. A fifth walk loaded the bases before a sixth walk scored yet another run. Spearman, who earned a four-pitch walk in the second at-bat of the inning, dealt the final blow with a two-RBI single to left field on the ninth pitch of a gritty plate appearance. As the dust settled, a ‘7’ hung on the scoreboard in right field through just one inning.
Spearman went even quicker in the top of the second, sitting the Grizzlies down in order on just nine pitches, including an inning-ending swinging strikeout. A pair of hits resulted in a pair of stranded Aggies before the sophomore pitcher picked up where she left off, striking out each of the next two batters she faced. By the time the next batter recorded her side’s first hit, Spearman had already tallied eight straight outs and three punchouts. The inning would quickly close with no further damage aside from the two-out single.
Kayla Lunar began the home half of the third with a double, before Kenzie Nicholson followed up with a single, placing runners at the corners. During Faith Aragon’s eventual five-pitch walk, Lunar scored and Nicholson advanced on a wild pitch, setting up Spearman for an RBI chance. The two-way star capitalized on the second pitch of the at-bat, launching a ball to deep left field as her team-leading seventh home run of the season gave NM State an 11-0 lead.
Following her offensive explosion, the 2024 CUSA Player of the Year made quick work of Montana once more, recording a pair of strikeouts in a nine-pitch, 1-2-3 inning. Taryn Bennett would get the nod to open the fifth inning, closing a nearly perfect day for Spearman that included five strikeouts and just one batter reaching safely in 4.0 innings of work.
A Bella Clapp walk and Kenzie Nicholson’s eighth hit of the weekend were not enough to add to the scoring in the fourth inning, setting up Montana’s final chance. While a pair of singles threatened to end the shutout, Bennett escaped the jam as she recorded the final out of the game by tossing a ground ball over to Kristiana Watson covering first base. The out sealed the Aggies’ third straight run-rule victory by a score of 11-0.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- NM State has now recorded a home run in 11 of 12 games this season, only failing to do so against Nebraska.
- The Aggies have launched a deep ball in every game they scored in, as the Nebraska contest was the lone shutout for the group this season.
- The Crimson & White pulled further ahead in their all-time series against Montana, now holding a 4-0 record against the Grizzlies, with each game being played in Las Cruces.
- Seven Aggies recorded a hit on Monday, marking the 10th time this season with at least that many different hitters in a single game.
- The offense combined for nine hits for the 10th time this season and the fifth straight game.
- Since its contest against No. 17 Nebraska, NM State is averaging 10.25 hits per game.
- With 94 runs across 12 games, NM State is averaging 7.83 runs per contest.
- Kristiana Watson posted 14 RBIs across the Troy Cox Classic, including 12 in the past three games and three on Monday.
- Watson, with 17 through 12 games, is on pace to finish with 73.7 RBIs. Tied with Watson is Desirae Spearman, who also has 17 runs batted in in 11 appearances, putting her on pace to tally 78.8 in the regular season.
- Last year, the Aggies had two leaders in RBIs for the season, both finishing with 43.
UP NEXT
The Aggies will head to Arizona on Thursday ahead of a weekend in Phoenix and Tempe. NM State will play five games as part of the ASU/GCU Classic, starting with Portland State at 11:30 a.m. MT on Friday, Feb, 21. The Aggies are set to take on three Power Four opponents, including Iowa State and hosting Arizona State. However, the greatest chance for an upset will be on Saturday afternoon, when they take on Florida; the second-ranked team in the nation. Each game will be 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).
