“We are pretty banged up, losing a couple key players due to injuries,” said head coach Dan Powers. “It’s a tough way to start conference play, but we have to dig deep and fight harder to win.”
The Redhawks host Washington on Tuesday, Apr. 1 at 6 p.m. before hosting Utah Valley for a three-game Western Athletic Conference series on Apr. 4-5. Tickets for the Washington game can be purchased at the gate for $5 for adults and $3 for juniors/seniors. Cash is preferred. Seating is first-come, first-served, with standing room only available. Chairs will be allowed to be brought into Logan Field.
Game 1: New Mexico State 9, Seattle U 3
New Mexico State would take an early 5-0 lead through three innings, thanks in part to a big second inning in which they scored four runs. The Redhawks also committed two errors in the inning as all four runs were unearned.
Seattle U got on the board in the top of the fourth on a solo home run to left field by Brianna Guerrero (Buena Park, Calif.) but they allowed the Aggies to score three more runs in the bottom of the frame on a solo home run and a pair of RBI singles to lead, 8-1.
The Redhawks scored two more in the top of the fifth as NMSU made two errors of their own, resulting in one run. The other run scored on an RBI single by Guerrero, SU trailed, 8-3, through five.
New Mexico State would add one more run for insurance in the bottom of the sixth on an RBI double to left center by Tatum Reedy and they would come away with the 9-3 win.
Guerrero led SU with three hits and two RBIs. In the circle, Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) was handed the loss allowing eight runs on six hits while walking two and striking out three in 3 2/3 innings pitched. Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) entered in relief, allowing the final run on five hits while walking and striking out one in 2 1/3 innings. Makayla McAdams earned the win, giving up just three runs on three hits while walking three and striking out two in the five inning outing. Celisha Walker allowed just three hits in the two inning relief outing, striking out one.
Game 2: New Mexico State 10, Seattle U 2 (5 innings)
Both teams scoreless through the first two innings, New Mexico State got on the board in the bottom of the third, scoring two runs apiece in the third and fourth. The Aggies scored on a single by Alyssa Ruiz and a sacrifice fly by Fiana Finau in the third and on a 2RBI double to left center by Lacey Rother in the fourth.
Seattle U earned two runs in the top of the fourth on a 2RBI home run by Bubba Morrow (Auburn, Wash.), as she drove in Sarah Petosa (Federal Way, Wash.).
SU trailing by just two, a big fifth inning for the Aggies would prove to make the difference, as they added six runs in the bottom of the frame to end the game. Ruiz opened with a 2RBI home run to left center before Brennalyn Nakamura and Rother added a pair of 2RBI doubles down the right field line.
In the circle, Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) was handed the loss, allowing six runs on nine hits in four innings while walking four. Reuble entered in relief, facing the final five batters, allowing four runs. Karysta Donisthorpe earned the win, giving up just two runs on one hit while walking two and striking out seven.