Blue Raiders Drop Both Games at New Mexico State

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - Middle Tennessee softball (8-31, 1-9 SBC) lost 6-0, 3-2 to New Mexico State (21-25, 4-6) Saturday at NMSU Softball Field.

New Mexico State broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the sixth inning to lead 3-2, which would turn out to be the eventual game winner in the second game. With two outs, Kasey Sandlin hit a single and stole second to place herself in scoring position. Stacy Knight's RBI single to left field plated Sandlin and gave the Aggies the lead.

Middle Tennessee scored first in the second game of the doubleheader with New Mexico State. Jennifer Dorais opened the inning by reaching first off an Aggie error and advanced to second on a ground out by Brandi Boehner. Dorias moved to third off a single by Liz Davis and scored on an RBI single by Melissa Weiland.

New Mexico State answered in the bottom of the second inning with two runs. The Aggies Haley Johnston hit a one out single to start the rally. After Dorais gave up a walk to Princess Moore, Lindsay Hainzinger hit an RBI double to plate Johnston and tie the game 1-1. A fielder's choice placed Sandlin on first to load the bases and after Dorais forced Knight to pop up to third base, there were bases loaded with two outs. Dorais walked Ashley Roszkos to score Moore and take the lead 2-1.

Middle Tennessee tied the game in the top of the fifth inning thanks to Kristine Reed's lead off double. Reed set up the score when she advanced to third on a passed ball by the Aggies. New Mexico State picked up two outs when pitcher Stephanie Carrasco forced Krystle Littrell to pop up to her and then Trish White lined to the Aggie first baseman.

With two outs, the scoring opportunity was left in the hands of Grothause, who didn't disappoint. Grothause hit a frozen rope to left centerfield to score Reed and tie the game. Middle Tennessee threatened to take the lead when Grothause stole second and then advanced to third off a single by Grybash. The inning ended when Dorias ground out to the third baseman.

Dorais started the game and lasted three innings before being replaced by White. Dorais gave up two runs on five hits and struck out one. White tossed three innings and allowed the game winning Aggie run and takes the loss, falling to 0-7 on the season.

Middle Tennessee let the possibility of a close game get out of hand when the team lost the first game against New Mexico State 6-0. Trailing 2-0, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Middle Tennessee allowed four runs on three errors.

New Mexico State scored its first run in the bottom of the second inning. Hainzinger led off the inning with a walk and pinch runner Cassandra Gonzales advanced to second on a single by Moore. Gonzales scored when Knight hit a ball to the first baseman and was tagged out by Blue Raider Davis.

Senior Jennifer Grybash started the only real threat for the Blue Raiders when she hit a one out single. White followed with a single and Middle Tennessee looked like it had something brewing with runners on first and second and one out. Looks can be deceiving as Grothause ground out to the pitcher for the second out, but did advance Grybash and White to second and third. The Blue Raider threat ended when freshman Boehner ground out to the shortstop.

Dorais led Middle Tennessee by going 2-for-3 at the plate.

The Blue Raiders return to action on Sunday to wrap-up the four-game series with the Aggies. The first pitch is set for 2 p.m. CDT at NMSU Softball Field.

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