Friday, October 2, 2026
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The NM State softball team opened the 2026 season splitting six games at the NM State Softball Complex. The Aggies powered past UMass Lowell in Friday's opener before battling back from behind to defeat UT Arlington in a high‑scoring nightcap to finish the day unbeaten.
Day two Saturday ended with NMSU's third win in its first four, scoring a come-from-behind 7-6 walk-off win over Utah Valley University. A loss in their first game Saturday, 15-8, to St. Thomas was the first Aggie defeat of the 2026 campaign. NMSU dropped another contest to St. Thomas Sunday before ending the weekend Sunday with a 20-12 loss to Texas-Arlington to run its record to 3-3.
Day 1 - Friday
Game 1 – NM State 8, UMass Lowell 0 (5 inn.)
NMSU broke the game open with five runs in the third inning, highlighted by a three‑run home run from senior Devin Elam. In the circle, Taryn Bennett tossed four scoreless innings and Zantelle Rodriguez closed the fifth as the Aggies completed a three‑hit shutout.
Game 2 – NM State 11, UT Arlington 9
The Aggies erased an early five-run deficit and propelled past the Mavericks with a game-changing five‑run fifth inning. The big inning was capped by back‑to‑back extra‑base hits from Johnna Aragon and Faith Aragon, followed by a two‑run blast from Elam. Jaileen Mancha earned the win in relief, holding UT Arlington to one unearned run over the final 3.2 innings as NM State improved to 2‑0.
"I thought we competed well. The second game wasn’t smooth, but it was tough – and that matters," said interim head coach Benet Higgs. "This group keeps leaning into challenges instead of avoiding them. They made the plays when it counted. That’s the identity we’re building. Looking forward to tomorrow.”
Day 2 - Saturday
NM State wrapped up a busy Saturday at the NM State Softball Complex with another doubleheader, opening the day against St. Thomas before closing with a dramatic win against Utah Valley. The Aggies showed resilience throughout the day, tallying a total of 15 runs across a pair of contests.
Game 1 – St. Thomas 15, NM State 8
NM State jumped out to an early lead with four runs in the first inning, highlighted by a two‑run home run from Bella Clapp. The Aggies totaled 10 hits and four extra‑base hits, including a four‑RBI performance from Lauren Garcia, but St. Thomas pulled away late to take the opener.
Game 2 – NM State 7, Utah Valley 6
The Aggies responded in the nightcap, rallying for three runs in the seventh inning to earn a come-from-behind walk‑off win. In the victory, Devin Elam homered twice, while Kendal Lunar delivered the game‑winning RBI single to complete the comeback.
Of the Aggies 15 Saturday runs, 11 came in the fourth inning or later. Elam concluded the day with two solo home runs and three hits. Bella Clapp posted the first home run of her young career and executed a squeeze bunt to bring home a run in the seventh inning of the Aggies’ win over Utah Valley. Zantelle Rodriguez pitched a career-high 6.0 innings to help the Aggies take down Utah Valley.
Day 3 - Sunday
Game 1 – St. Thomas 15, NM State 2 (5 Inn.)
NM State plated an early run in the first inning and added another in the fifth, but St. Thomas used multiple big innings to pull away in the opener. Faith Aragon finished 2‑for‑3 with a double, while Taylor Baca and Tamara Carranza each drove in a run.
Game 2 – UT Arlington 20, NM State 12
The Aggies erupted for seven runs in the first inning and totaled 14 hits, including home runs from Lauren Garcia, Kendal Lunar and Bella Clapp. Despite the strong start, UT Arlington answered with multiple scoring surges to claim the win.
Faith Aragon finished the weekend with a batting average of .545, logging six hits, two doubles, two home runs and five RBIs. Despite not playing on Sunday, Devin Elam finished opening weekend with four home runs and nine RBIs to pace all Aggies. Lauren Garcia drove home eight runs during the six games to follow closely behind.
NM State will return to the NM State Softball Complex next weekend as it is set to host the Troy Cox Classic. The weekend will feature the Aggies alongside No. 3 Oklahoma, Minnesota, Montana and Idaho State in a total of 10 games across three days beginning Friday morning at 10 a.m.
