NM State Aggies vs Eastern AZ Gila Monters Softball 9-30-18

Once again, I was missing some stuff on TV.  In this case, NASCAR was running Charlotte in the “Roval” configuration for the first time.  Also, there was another Utah State Women’s Soccer match on Stadium.  (Yes, I wanted to see this stuff.)  However, Ron was available and wanted to go to see the softball and I did too, even if it was just an exhibition game.  I’m really feeling bad for Ron.  This was a free event and he’s just barely gotten any use out of his season pass for Aggie sports. 

It was again warm and sunny.  There was a bit of a breeze, but it wasn’t helping with the sun directly shining into the crowd.  Thankfully, they were running the scoreboard, which isn’t always the case with an exhibition game.  The crowd was pretty light for the game.  It was another hard core Aggie fan event.  I did see Danny there and told him about Brandy Hernandez saving Aggie Softball yesterday.

Samaria Diaz started for the Aggies.  The Gila Monters’ starter was wearing a mask.  Out of the circle with it off, she was very pretty with bright eyes.  No wonder she wanted to protect her face.  The AZ catcher had great silver blonde hair too. 

In the bottom of the first, Jeanelle Medina led off with a hit and took second on a sloppy throw into the infield.  Kelsey Horton did not hit a home run in two games yesterday.  On the first pitch to her, she hit a line drive homer out to left center.  She was due and was apparently well aware of her homer drought.  2-0 Aggies. 

The inning continued and would be capped by a Kennedy Johnson three-run homer.  A very pretty friend of hers sitting in front of us cheered her on.  5-0 Aggies.  In the second, Kayla Bowen was at short made a good catch on a floater.  Then on a grounder to second with a runner on first, Nikki Butler, the catcher, called for Jeanelle to throw to first for the sure out.  By that time, Jeanelle had already gotten the lead runner at second.  She is so slick.

Ron and I had a conversation about Bob Uecker, the Brewers’ radio broadcaster (among other careers).  I told Ron that Uecker was invited into the Brewers’ locker room after they’d clinched and was sprayed with champagne.  They’d even put in a statue of him at Miller Park (seated last row, upper deck, obstructed view seat).  I mentioned how my co-worker Mike keeps insisting that’s he’s passed away.  “He’s not dead, Mike,” is my usual response.  Ron remembered Uecker’s great standup appearances on The Tonight Show.  “He was a funny guy,” Ron said winsomely.  “He’s not dead, Ron!  He’s still funny.”

Out on field, Kelsey was smiling continuously.  You couldn’t help but notice.  I don’t know what she did over the summer, but I’ll guess she’s happy to be back out playing in a game with her team.  Third inning, oh my goodness, the Gila Monsters have not one, but two girls who are significantly shorter then 5’0” Brandy Hernandez.  I think Aggie pitching was having trouble with their truncated strike zones.  Brandy would record a putout on a fly ball on one of the girls.

A couple of Aggie subs came in the fourth.  Buddy Vargas took over second and Rylan Gonzales went to third.  During the inning, Analise de la Roca and Kennedi Sorenson came in as the new battery.  It was quiet enough that you could hear the AZ coach tell her team, “We’re not playing the scoreboard; we’re playing the inning!” 

In the bottom, Brandy bunted her way on to load the bases.  Buddy would drive in a run on an infield hit when the fielder had some indecision where to throw to.  Kelsey would drive in a run on a sacrifice and another run came in on an error.  8-0 Aggies.  The AZ pitcher came out and got a lecture by one of the other coaches by their dugout.  She was hanging her head, though I don’t think there was much she could have done about the defensive miscues. 

Is that Larry Rose III over in the center section?  I had his poster up at work for a year, so I think I should recognize him.  Why was he here and not playing with some professional team?  He was here with another player and their girlfriends and seemed to be having a good time.  After not recognizing Misty Hoohuli yesterday, who I also had posters of, I was insecure about accosting anybody.  (I just wanted to say, “Thank you.”)  He didn’t come close by anyway.  One of the assistant Women’s Basketball coaches was also here with his family.  He was in our section, but had his hands full with his little kids.  I recognized him, but I don’t actually know his name.

In the fifth there were more subs.  I couldn’t keep track of them.  Rylan made a shoe top trap and threw out a runner at second.  Analise got out of a two on, one out situation.  In the bottom, Alyssa Barela hit out a grand slam to make it 12-0.  Was this the same girl who struck out so badly yesterday?  Now we know she can hit. 

The Aggies girls broke out a new chant.  I need Shazam or something, because I know the classic tune, but don’t know the name.  Ron started chuckling when he heard it.  By the seventh, the opposing coaches and were chatting with each other and with the umps during play.  12-0 Aggies was the final.

Coach Kathy and the AZ coach met at home plate afterward and agreed they’d just run some practice instead of another game.  The Aggie girls had to come out to dress the field.  They didn’t let them use the little tractor though.  (The moment the coach wasn’t looking, I’m sure they would have been joyriding on it.)  Ron and I retreated to his car for some air conditioning. 

For the practice, the teams ran through some situations, like one on, two outs.  I’m sure they run these drills all the time, but being able to run them against another team was a great opportunity.  It was serious, but still pretty casual.  Kelsey, still all smiles, chatted with the first base ump.  The second base ump talked with the Aggie outfielders. 

The coaches were observing and shouting out some directions to the players.  The AZ coach stood behind second to more closely watch her infield work.  I only noted two plays.  One of the short Gila Monster batters got plunked, but had to go back and finish the at bat, and multi-talented Analise de la Roca  homered for the Aggies. 

The temperature had cooled a bit with a pleasant breeze.  There were still people there watching from the stands.  It was kind of relaxing.  Ron had to go to work before it was over, but we stopped to get dinner at Raising Canes, since I had the coupon from Aggie Volleyball on Saturday.  Ron was waxing poetic about their chicken strips as we drove over.  They have that effect on people.  The meal was excellent, of course.  Just as we finished, what do you know, some of the volleyball team came in.  Presumably, they had coupons too.  I brazenly went over and thanked them for the meal, but didn’t overstay my welcome.  It’s nice to get some recognition for giving back to the fans.