Aggies earn Power Four victory at Troy Cox Classic

The NMSU softball team closed out its weekend Sunday at the NM State Softball Complex with a doubleheader against Minnesota and Montana. 

The Aggies opened the day on a high note with a win over Big Ten foe Minnesota and later fell in a back‑and‑forth contest with Montana. NMSU finished the weekend with a 2-4 record and closed out its early home stand with a 5-7 record.

Game 1 – NM State 5, Minnesota 3 

NM State answered Minnesota's early scoring with a three‑run third inning sparked by an RBI triple from Faith Aragon, a run‑scoring fielder's choice and a two‑run double from Kendal Lunar.

Aragon went the distance in the circle, striking out seven while allowing just six hits in a complete‑game victory. She also had three hits in the contest. Violet Redondo added two hits and scored twice to lead the Aggies offensively. 

Game 2 – Montana 8, NM State 5 

The Aggies matched Montana early behind a two‑run home run from Destan Burks in the first inning and later tied the game 5-5 with a three‑run second that included a single from Tamara Carranza. Carranza produced three total hits on the day, including a pair against Montana. 

Montana regained control with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, and despite multi‑hit performances from Aragon and Carranza, the Aggies came up just short in the weekend finale. ‘

The victory over Minnesota marked the Aggies’ first win over a Power Four program since Feb. 25, 2024, when the Aggies defeated Arizona State.

The Aggies are in Tempe, Arizona next weekend where it will compete in the Sun Devil Classic. In total, NMSU will play five games with two apiece coming against No. 22 Arizona State and Southern Utah in addition to the weekend opener against Michigan on Friday.