A five-run first inning for the Western Athletic Conference leader, New Mexico State (33-15, 14-2 WAC) proved to be fatal as the Aggies tacked on three more runs in the fifth and six innings to top Seattle University softball (20-26, 8-8 WAC), 8-0, in six innings.
The Aggies showed offensive power from the outset as Malena Padilla and Staci Rodriguez drove in back-to-back runs on a double and single with one out. They added three more one-out runs on a set of fielder’s choices to take the early 5-0 lead.
Neither team scoring in the second, third, or fourth innings, NMSU added a single run in the bottom of the fifth as Rodriguez hit a solo home run to left center field, a team high 18th of the season.
New Mexico State sealed the deal in the bottom of the sixth on a 2RBI single by Padilla to drive in Amber Olive followed by Emma Adams for the game-winning run.
The Redhawks left one runner on base in five of six innings of play but could not capitalize on their chances to score. Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) and Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.) reached as far as third base in the third and fifth innings, respectively.
Geronimo extended her team-high hitting streak to seven games, going 1-for-3 at the plate as the starting centerfielder. Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.) led the team with two hits.
In the circle for Seattle U, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) started the contest allowing five runs on four hits while walking two in 1/3 inning. Jessica Ulrich (Lewiston, Idaho) entered in relief allowing the final three runs on four hits while walking three and striking out one, and Breonna Chrisman (Snohomish, Wash.) saw her third appearance of the season allowing one hit in 1/3 inning pitched.
Alex Newman earned the complete game shutout for the Aggies, allowing just six hits while walking and striking out one in six innings pitched.
The Redhawks and Aggies return to action with a doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, Apr. 27 at 3 p.m., to cap off the weekend WAC series. Live stats are available for both games, with video available for the first game only. All media links are on the softball schedule page at GoSeattleU.com.