NM State softball splits series with Nebraska in Troy Cox Classic
LAS CRUCES, N.M. –For the second straight weekend, freshman standout Desirae Spearman served as a catalyst to the success of the Aggies. However, this time the stakes were raised as she dominated in the circle and at the plate to help the Aggies (5-1) split their series with Big Ten counterpart Nebraska (3-3) on Friday evening at the NM State Softball Complex. In the opener, Spearman pitched a complete game and allowed just one hit to lead the Aggies to a 3-0 win over the Huskers. The second half of the series went the way of the visitors as Nebraska topped the Aggies 4-1.
The victory over Nebraska marks the first over a Power Five program since the Aggies also defeated the same Husker program in 2020 – doing so twice during a shortened season.
On Friday, the Aggies were led by Spearman who finished the day 4-for-6 at the plate with three RBIs, one home run and a double while tallying seven innings and four strikeouts in the circle. The Aggie offense also received support from sophomore Kendal Lunar who notched her second home run of the young season. In her second start as an Aggie, Jaileen Mancha was also effective as she recorded five strikeouts and allowed one earned run in five innings of work.
GAME ONE | NM State 3, Nebraska 0
FIRST INNING
Earning the start to begin the weekend, freshman phenom Desirae Spearman showed her prowess inside the circle, striking out a pair of Nebraska batters to keep the Huskers scoreless through the first inning.
SECOND INNING
With the Nebraska offense struggling to get their bats going, the heart of the NM State lineup gave the home crowd something to cheer about as they hit back-to-back solo home runs to give the Aggies an early 2-0 lead.
THIRD INNING
After giving the Aggies the lead, Spearman found herself in trouble as the Huskers used a pair of errors and a walk to load the bases with no outs recorded. The freshman remained composed and struck out the next batter before forcing a ground out and a line out to escape the jam without allowing a Husker to cross home plate.
From there, Spearman continued her exceptional start as she tallied the first double of her collegiate career and drove home the third and final run of the day. With three runs of insurance, the Aggie defense stepped in to seal the deal as only one Nebraska batter reached base for the remainder of the game.
GAME TWO | NM State 1, Nebraska 4
FIRST INNING
The Desirae Spearman experience continued into the second game as she flashed her skill at shortstop in the top half of the first inning. Following a double into left, Jayleen Burton relayed the ball to Spearman who then turned around and threw a laser from shallow left field to Kendal Lunar who tagged out a sliding Husker to keep Nebraska off the board and end the inning.
Spearman then tallied her third hit of the day as she launched a ball over the left field wall to give the Aggies a 1-0 advantage.
SECOND INNING
Unlike the first game, the Nebraska offense was able to respond to the Aggie attack as a double from Alina Felix plated the first Husker run of the day and tied the game at one run apiece.
THIRD INNING
After a pair of Husker batters found their way to the base paths, Jaileen Mancha entered to game to take over in the circle for starter Emily Dix. Mancha would eventually finish the game for the Aggies, however, Nebraska was able to tack on a pair of runs in the third to take a 3-1 advantage.
SEVENTH INNING
After seeing the Aggies strand runners in scoring position in the third, fourth and fifth innings, Nebraska extended its lead to three runs as Brooke Andrews hit a two-out solo home run to left field. This would ultimately be the last addition to the scoreboard as Emmerson Cope capped off her save by retiring the next three Aggie batters in order.
UP NEXT
The Crimson and White will return to the NM State Softball Complex on Saturday afternoon as it hosts Montana and Sacramento State on the second day of the Troy Cox Classic. The Aggies will begin their day at 2:30 p.m versus the Grizzlies.
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