NPF All-Stars Defeat Aggie Softball 10-1

Las Cruces, N.M. - The softball team of New Mexico State University fell to the National Pro Fastpitch All-Star team 10-1 Tuesday night at the NM State Softball Complex.

The Aggies came through at the plate in the bottom of the sixth inning. Freshman right fielder Valerie Swedberg singled up the middle for the first hit of the game for NM State. After sitting out much of the game while attending class, sophomore infielder Tehani Kaaihue singled into shallow left field to score Swedberg for the first Aggie run of the game.

The NPF All-Star team consisted of players from professional softball teams across the country, including four Olympic athletes. The All-Star team has been pesky about allowing runs to their collegiate opponents during their fall tour and tonight was no different.

"We'll use this game to assess how we measure up at this point early in the fall season," said NM State head coach Kathy Rodolph. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to play a team of All-Stars and former Olympians now that softball is no longer part of the Olympic Games.
"We played everyone tonight and used all of our pitchers so each of our players got the chance to go up against their talent. I think we fought hard this evening. We never got down. We kept fighting and got a couple hits and a run late."
The All-Stars put three runs on the board early after errors on behalf of the Aggies. After a single by the leadoff batter Vicky Galindo, two consecutive errors by the infield let Caitlin Lever and Andrea Duran to load the bases. A couple of succeeding singles scored the All-Star base runners, putting the All-Stars up 3-0 before the Aggies' first at-bat.

The NM State lineup faced Jamee Juarez in her first appearance this fall. No. 6 batter Teresa Conrad reached base on an error, but the Aggies struggled against Juarez.

The All-Stars put two more runs on the board during the third inning. First baseman Angie Ouiocho hit a solo homerun to cap off the first run of the inning.

The All-Stars added three runs to their lead during the fourth inning. All-Star left fielder Francesca Enea hit a two-run homerun over the left field wall to bring the score to 7-0. All-Star right fielder Tayrne Mowatt followed up with a triple and later scored.

In the bottom of the seventh, NM State third baseman Ashley Maroda smashed a near-homerun down the left field line, but was narrowly called foul. Aggie First baseman Hoku Nohara was picked off at first base on the next pitch to end the game.

The Aggies continues their home fall schedule Friday, Oct. 16 with a doubleheader against Midland College and Eastern Arizona College at the NM State Softball Complex.

NPF All-Stars Defeat Aggie Softball 10-1