LAS CRUCES, N.M. – New Mexico State University managed to overcome a 3-0 game one deficit en route to earning a doubleheader sweep over Utah Valley University in Western Athletic Conference play at the NM State Softball Complex in Las Cruces on Saturday. NM State came from behind to take the first game of the day, 4-3, before completing the twin bill and series sweep with a 7-3 victory in game two.
 
NM State improves to 15-16 overall and 3-0 in WAC play with the victories, while the Wolverines drop to 8-15 and 0-3.  
 
GAME ONE
The Wolverines erupted out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first inning in the opening game of the twin bill thanks to a three-run home run from senior slugger Brittney Vansway. Vansway's big fly drove home fellow senior Courtney Beavers and freshman Caragh Morris, who had respectively been hit by a pitch and singled earlier in the frame. Her home run also tied her atop the WAC on the season in round trippers with teammate Lyndsay Steverson with eight.
 
The Aggies then quickly struck back with a pair of runs of their own in the bottom of the first to make it a one-run game at 3-2. NM State then pushed across the tying run in the third on a solo home run from Rachel Rodriguez and the go-ahead run in the fourth on solo shot from Merina Ili.
 
UVU had its best chance to even the score in the sixth when it threatened with two on and two out, but NM State starter Samaria Diaz managed to retire junior Kawehi Kahana to end the threat.
 
Utah Valley junior Lauren Frailey (5-5) was tagged with the loss in the ballgame, while NMSU's Diaz (9-9) earned the win and Kayla Green pitched a scoreless seventh inning to earn her second save on the season.
 
Vansway paced the UVU offense in the game by going 1-for-3 with three runs batted in on her first-inning home run, while Rodriguez led the Aggies by going 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored.
 
GAME TWO
NM State's momentum then carried over into the early stages of the nightcap, as it drove home seven first-inning runs to take a 7-0 lead. After an error extended the inning, Rodriguez capped the scoring for the Aggies in the frame with a bases-clearing double.
 
UVU then quickly countered back with three runs of its own in the second to make it a 7-3 ballgame. Kahana started the scoring for the Wolverines with an RBI double to center field. Junior Taleigh Williams then managed to score the second run of the inning on an error, and Morris drove home the final run of the frame with an RBI infield single.
 
Utah Valley reliever Makayla Shadle and NM State's Green then managed to put up zeros the rest of the way as the game ended in a 7-3 decision. Shadle shined in the circle for the Wolverines, as she gave up just one hit and no runs in 5.0 innings of solid scoreless relief.
 
Senior starter Bailey Moore (1-6) suffered the defeat for UVU in the contest, while NMSU's Green (9-9) went the distance in the circle to earn the win.
 
Beavers led the Wolverine offense in the ballgame by going 2-for-3 with a stolen base, while Rodriguez paced the Aggies with a 2-for-4 outing and three RBIs.
 
UP NEXT FOR UVU
The Wolverines will now return to the state of Utah for a midweek doubleheader at in-state foe Southern Utah on Tuesday, April 4 in Cedar City. The non-conference twin bill is slated to begin at noon and 2 p.m. MT. Following Tuesday's doubleheader, UVU will return to Orem to host CSU Bakersfield for a three-game WAC series beginning Friday, April 7 at 2 p.m. at Wolverine Field.