Riley Carley smashes three-run walk-off home run to stun FIU.
Source: NMSU Athletics (Photo: Courtesy)
Friday was one of the great nights in Aggie Softball history. Down to its final out, NM State stayed alive in four straight at-bats, sealing the win with a walk-off three-run home run from senior Riley Carley. The Aggies entered the bottom of the seventh inning down 6-5, but scored four in the home half for its second walk-off win of the season. With the victory, NM State improved to 8-5 in CUSA play and 22-17 overall.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIU | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 2 |
| NM State | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 10 | 1 |
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Desirae Spearman put the FIU batters away in order in the top half of the first, the NM State offense struck first as Dezianna Patmon rolled a hard-hit ball through the middle of the infield to score Jillian Taylor from first.
FIU eventually got on the board in the second inning as a pair of singles produced two runs to put the Panthers in front 2-1. The Aggie response came in the third inning with some help from the FIU defense as two errors helped move Jayleen Burton around the bases. After evening the score at two runs, NM State took the lead on a base hit from Devin Elam which allowed Taylor to cross home for the second time in the game.
After a scoreless fourth, a trio of Panther singles to start the fifth tied the game at three. Then, with two outs away, FIU took a 5-3 lead due to a dropped third strike combined with an error. However, after much protest from the Aggie dugout and conversation among the three umpires, the play would be overturned to end the inning and leave the score at 3-3 with the Aggie bats returning to the plate.
Taylor then continued to impact the game as she came up with the biggest hit of the night to that point as she rocketed a two-run home run to left field to flip the script and put the Aggies ahead 5-3.
FIU responded with three unanswered runs, including a two-run top of the seventh. The Panthers were down to their final strike while still trailing by one run when a bases-loaded single tied the game. The very next at-bat then gave the Panthers a one-run advantage to put the Aggies in need of a special seventh inning.
NM State quickly found itself down to its last out and no runners aboard when Desirae Spearman and Dezianna Patmon earned back-to-back walks to give the Aggies some life. Devin Elam then tied the game with a single to right field. With the game tied and some pressure relieved, Riley Carley ended the game in walk-off fashion with a three-run home run to left center.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- The win marks the 600th win for Head Coach Kathy Rodolph. Including Friday night, Coach Rodolph now holds a 600-522 record at NM State and a 793-617 across her entire career.
- With their 22nd win of the season, NM State has already surpassed its season total from a year prior (21).
- Jillian Taylor notched her fifth home run of the season while Devin Elam smashed her fourth home run of the year.
- Taylor also recorded her 10th multi-hit game and sixth multi-RBI game. With three runs scored, Jillian Taylor tied the Aggies’ season high for the 2024 season.
- With three hits, Devin Elam tallied her seventh multi-hit game of the season and fourth with three or more hits. This also represented the sixth time that Elam has notched multiple RBIs this year.
- Similarly, Jayleen Burton earned her fifth multi-hit game of the season.
Senior infielder Riley Carley, on her mindset ahead of her final at-bat: “I looked at Devin [Elam] and thought ‘there’s nobody I trust more in this situation’. I knew she was going to be able to get on. When I went up, I just knew I couldn’t overthink it. I had to go in there with a positive mindset. I just felt that there was no doubt in my mind we were winning this game.
Senior infielder Riley Carley, on the emotions while rounding the bases: “In the corner of my eye, I saw my whole team running out and I just heard all the fans cheering. I still have chills talking about it right now. The second I hit home plate, I couldn’t see. My teammates took off my helmet, they’re hugging me, and it’s just sending my adrenaline through the roof. I can’t explain it, I’ve had chills this whole time. It’s just so exciting; I really felt the love.”
Sophomore outfielder Devin Elam, on her final at-bat and the win: “At first, I was trying to hit a home run and make the moment too big. Once I talked to Coach Heifner, she told me to just focus on getting on base and doing what I do best. Then with Riley, I was so excited for her. It was great to experience that moment with her and the team.”
UP NEXT
The Aggies and Panthers will meet tomorrow for the midway point of the three-game series. NM State will look to clinch another series win and improve to 5-1 in CUSA Saturday games. The Crimson & White’s second matchup with FIU will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow via nmstatestats.com.
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).
