NM State Aggies vs Bradley Braves Softball 2-11-23

Ron regaled me about freezing at last night's game when he picked me up Saturday afternoon for some more Aggie Softball.  We also discussed the Men's Basketball season suspension for hazing.  Neither of us had learned much more information.  I was wondering, if they don't play anymore games, will they be handing out those black and white giveaway baseball hats at a baseball game perhaps?  

 

It was warmer today at 55-degrees, but a cold, stiff breeze was blowing in.  Baseball was holding an inter-squad simulated game next door.  They even played the Anthem before the game.  We arrived at the end of Colorado State and Bradley's early game, which the Rams won 11-1.  They also handed out cool seat cushions at the entrance.  A good crowd showed up (no official attendance was given) in spite of the cold. 

 

We ran into Adam Young, who would be doing the radio call.  He said that the Braves looked “exhausted.”  I told him that he owed Ron an apology for prematurely calling last night's game a potential run-rule and jinxing it.  I also asked if he knew about Tim Hagerty's new book.  He didn't, and I said I'd send him a link to it.  

 

I noticed my co-worker and former Aggie catcher, Melika Ofoia, right before the game started.  Unfortunately, she was on the other side of the stands and I couldn't easily get to her through the crowd.  I waved a couple of times, but she didn't see me.  Felicia de la Torre started for the Aggies.  She gave up a couple of walks, but worked around them.  The Aggies went down in order in the bottom.  Kayla Bowen did get a loud song from the dugout. 

 

Bradley had a leadoff single to start the second and got down sacrifice, but stranded the runner.  The Aggies went down in order again.  Melika went crazy for a t-shirt toss between innings and one of people she was with got one. 

 

In the top of the third, Riley Carley made two good plays at third on infield hits, but both runners just beat the throws.  A short drive to the outfield loaded the bases.  Coach Rodolph came out for a mound visit and a pitcher started warming up in the bullpen.  A sac fly brought in the first run of the game.  Gabby Aragon made a diving catch on the play. 

 

After a walk, Laurali Patene came in to pitch mid-at bat on the next batter at a 2-0 count.  Laurali came back in the count and got a strikeout.  There were several Bradley fans there.  They started stomping on the metal stands to make noise.  The next batter worked a walk, which forced in another run.  2-0 Bradley.

 

In the bottom, catcher Kendal Lunar struck back with a leadoff double.  Gabby worked a walk and Jayleen Burton moved them both over with a bunt.  Back to the top of the order, Jessica Carreon singled in a run and Jillian Taylor drove in another with a groundout.  We were tied at 2.

 

Laurali worked a quick fourth.  Kayla made a nice stretch for the final out.  Oh, this was shameful.  Melika left.  When I asked her the next day, she said she got cold.  She’s definitely no longer in playing shape. 

Yee Haw!  Xophia Venegas looking sweet.  

Devin Elam led off the bottom with a single.  Savannah Bejarano came in to pinch run.  That move paid off immediately as Riley hit the wall with a double and Savannah scored, giving the Aggies the lead.  Kendra Levesque followed that with a double and Xophia Venegas pinch ran for her.  Unfortunately, Xophia got caught in a rundown on a fielder’s choice. 

 

No problem.  Gabby banged a two-run homer to left center.  6-2 Aggies.  The coach said she was going to have a good year.  Oops.  Error on the scorecard.  The final out was a groundout to second.  Sitting up on the top row, I was distracted as CSU was coming back into the stadium behind us and then I noticed the pretty girl working at the merch tent. 

 

The Braves went quickly in the top of the fifth.  Jillian came up first in the bottom of fifth.  She surprisingly bunted.  The pitcher overthrew first and Jill scooted to second.  Three little girls in colorful Little League softball jerseys danced and cheered in front of us.  Jill made a risky advance to third on a grounder by Kayla.  Ashley Breeding at second made a nice dive stop on a hit by Devin, but Jill made it home to make it 7-2 Aggies.

 

Then came one of those innings that drive coaches crazy in the sixth.  A leadoff single led to an error second to put two on.  After a line out to center, an error at third loaded the bases.  Coach Rodolph came out to give the infield a little “pep talk.”  Kendal responded by a catching a little popup at the plate and a groundout to first ended the inning without damage.  Adam on the radio said, “Patane gets out of it with a “Houdini act.”

 

Kendal came up second in the bottom and doubled again.  The freshman started off her college career with 5 doubles in 7 at bats.  Unfortunately, Bailey Sample at third made a great play on a liner and doubled off Kendal’s pinch runner to end the inning.  The Braves made the most of their last chance in the seventh.  Two singles started the inning before Sample hit a three-run homer just over the right field wall.  Laurali came back and ended the game with a strikeout on a beauty of an offspeed pitch.  Aggies win 7-5!

 

For the gameballs, Brave Bailey Sample gets one for going 3 for 4 with 3 RBI’s off that seventh inning home run and some good defense.  For the Aggies, Kendal Lunar also had some good defense, along with going 2 for 3.  Gabby Aragon had the big two-run blast in the fourth.  Laurali Patene got the win.  She gave up most of her damage at the end, but was otherwise very effective.      

 

At this point, I tapped out.  I was damn cold.  The game thankfully only went a bit more than two hours.  (The umps must have told Coach Rodolph to knock it off with all the mound visits.)  Ron was committed to staying, even to the point of offering to put me in his car with the heat on to listen to the game.  I offered to get dinner at Burger King, if he dropped me off at home on the way back.  I think it worked out for both of us.  I ate at home.  (The burger was good, but curiously insubstantial.)  I think Ron made it back in time for the start of the game.

 

I listened to the nightcap against Colorado State over the radio.  It was a tight pitchers’ duel.  In the end, Emily Dix gave up a three-run homer in the sixth and the Aggies lost 4-2.  While listening, I remembered to send Adam a link to Tim Hagerty’s book.  During the break, he replied with a “Thanks.”  I couldn’t believe he was checking his e-mail during the game.   

 

Superbowl Sunday morning, Bradley finally got a win in the tournament, 9-8 over CSU.  It was a bit of a puzzle why these two were playing an extra game.  CSU came by bus and don’t have a home stadium at the moment.  Perhaps Bradley had a late flight out and agreed to play again.  Both teams likely missed the Big Game, while the Aggies kicked back and enjoyed it.