NM State Aggies vs Montana Grizzlies Softball 2-15-26

I woke up Sunday morning and started listening to the Aggie Softball on the radio with Adam Young. Wait. Didn’t I do this last weekend.  It’s been a long two weeks with all this softball and all I’ve done is watch and write about it. (And for the two weeks before this, with no Aggie sports to go to, I obsessively played Command & Conquer and I finally beat all of the missions at the Medium level.)

Who are we playing today? It’s Minnesota again. Faith Aragon started for the Aggies. In the top of the first, Tara Wolocko hit a 2-run homer. That was her third against the Aggies this weekend. Kendal Lunar drove in a run in the bottom to make it, 2-1. In the third, Devin Elam took a spill fielding. She stayed for the inning, but didn’t return to play after the inning or for the next game. Devin was out last Sunday with an injury, too. Hopefully, she’ll recover quickly.

In the bottom of the third, Faith tripled in the tying run. A successful squeeze play by Destan Burks, who came in for Devin, brought Faith in, and it was 4-2 Aggies. In the top of the fourth, a MN home run closed it to, 4-3 Aggies. Adam mentioned this game was under a curfew, as well as the next game. No pressure.

In the bottom of the fourth, an error brought in an Aggie run to make it, 5-3 Aggies. A second squeeze play in the inning didn’t work this time. In the top of the sixth, Aggie catcher, Madi Bachman, was hurt. Adam thought she pulled a hamstring, but she stayed in. The Aggie defense was a little shaky defense in the seventh, but errorless, and the Aggies won it, 5-3.

That was their first P4 win of the season and the first since 2024. Faith Aragon had 7 strikeouts and 3 hits. This kind of pitching performance is what I meant by wanting to see a pitcher step up. Now, we need the rest of the staff feeding off that. It’s also probably not a coincidence that the Aggies didn’t have an error in the game and they won. They committed 25 errors in 10 preceding games.

Since the next game against Montana was also under a curfew, they attempted to start the game early. Though the team was there, they probably weren’t ready to play yet, so the game was going to start at noon, as scheduled. In the meantime, I was listening to the broadcast going over this. I was about to take a shower. Then I was getting dressed, thinking the game was going to begin early. Then I was getting undressed for a shower, since the game would starting on time. This all took place over about a 5-minute time span.

It was bright and sunny outside with a light cool breeze. There was a wiener dog puppy outside the stands. There was another wiener dog inside that barked at him when he came in. Next door, I saw Coach Rodolph walking her half-doodle dog on the soccer field. Attendance was 600 in the previous game (not including dogs), but it was a bit lighter in the second game at 289. No offense to Montana, but a game versus Minnesota was going to draw better.

The PA was playing lousy music today, unlike the last two days. Fire the DJ. It was 64-degrees with the wind blowing into the stands to start. Thankfully, it wasn’t colder. However, the wind would be changing directions during the game and swirl around over the field. Before the game, they played the team highlight reel on the new videoboard and I noticed it featured the dancing cowboy from last year (4-13-25). He was rooting for the other team! The Coach came in with her dog at the first pitch. Madi was still catching, Kendal was at first, and Devin was not in the lineup.

Zantelle Rodriguez started for the Aggies. Taylor Baca began the game with a diving catch in the left field. Adam on the radio broadcast thought she trapped it and sold it. He might have had a point, but I like Taylor, so we’ll give it to her. A single and a walk put two on. Grizzlies executed on a double steal. Catcher Madi missed Jade Valladares at third, who wasn’t near the bag anyway, and the ball went into left field.

The lead runner scored and Madi was hurt on the throw, or hurt further from earlier. She stayed in. I question Coach Higgs here. Madi probably shouldn’t have started this game hurt and shouldn’t have stayed in after getting hurt again. She might have been the best option, but I’d rather take my chances with the other four players listed on the roster that could play at catcher, including Kendal at first, rather than risking Madi getting hurt worse.

However, what got really got me angry was the scoring. Somehow that run that came in on an error was an earned run. I’ve already had insanity-inducing scoring issues with those 8 unearned runs last week (2-8-26).  I’m not bothering Grok to try and explain this one. A single drove in the other baserunner right after. If the error hadn’t happened, the run would have come in on the single anyway, I guess? My head is going to explode before this season is over. 2-0 MT.

The Coach’s dog went over to meet the Grizzlies’ staff member at the scorer’s table. She’s a friendly creature, even to the enemy. Marketing Director Nicole Sack tossed out some t-shirts between innings and then went over to talk to Coach Rodolph for a while. The Coach made a lot of friends here. I spoke to Fan Michael from Baseball the day before and he remembered her fondly when he was groundskeeping for Softball. She would offer the crew a share of the postgame food spread. She saw Michael had just taken a little once and insisted that he take more.

In the bottom of the first, Faith led off with a single. From the radio call, she’s hitting a crisp .577. Mackenzie Bekofsky in right field battled the wind for a catch at the wall on a flyball by Taylor. Up next, Destan took advantage of the wind blowing to right for a line drive 2-run homer to tie it. Nicole came out with a t-shirt toss for the home run and was well short getting it to a fan behind me. I handed it to the woman then teased Nicole that she was going to get cut from the team with that arm.

Zantelle worked into immediate trouble in the second with a single, a walk, and a 3-run homer, without getting an out. Taryn Bennett came on in relief. She allowed a single, but got the next three batters to end the inning. MT up 5-2. Also troubling in the inning were the two passed balls charged to Madi, in addition to juggling a pitch and not being able make a throw on a stolen base.

The Aggies rallied in the bottom of the second. Tamara Carranza led off with a single, Jade was hit, and Violet Redondo walked to load the bases. Tamara came in on a wild pitch and the other two runners advanced. A bad throw from third on a grounder by Faith scored 2 runs. (One of those was earned, one was unearned. I get that scoring.) Jojo Christiaens made a good play on a liner and doubled off Faith at second to end the inning. We were tied at 5.

There was an Aggie cowboy hat giveaway to the crowd?! I feel like I should have made an effort to get one of those. Taryn walked two batters in the third, but was unscored upon. Grizzly DP Kaiana Kong went into the circle to pitch in the bottom. (MT has players named “K. Kong,” “Cockhill,” and two girls named “Mackenzie,” but each spells it differently.) The Aggies got on one runner via an error in the inning.

Taryn walked the first batter of the fourth. The next batter popped one up on the infield. Taryn authoritatively called everyone off to handle it. This is a rare quality in a pitcher. A stolen base and a single scored the runner to give the Grizzlies a 6-5 lead. Taryn got a strikeout to end the inning. Madi was still hurting in the inning. She was limping when walking and stretching out between batters.

The Aggies loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, but weren’t able to get a run across. Violet beat out an infield single in the frame. Wow, is she fast! Kong made a good play on a comebacker that erased a runner at third.

Meanwhile at the scorer’s table, the little, white, fluffy dog from yesterday that belonged to player was brought in by her dad. This dog met the coach’s dog and it was unbearably cute. Another little dog came and also met them. It was like an adorable dog show. A girl and her husband brought over a baby see Coach Rodolph and to meet the dog. I didn’t recognize her, but I’m wondering if she was a former player.

In the top of the fifth, MT had a single that was brought in on a double. An error at short brought in another run (that was unearned), though the batter was thrown out at second after run scored. 8-5 MT. The Aggies got a couple of singles in the bottom, but again, couldn’t cash them in. I think a couple of people from the Concession trailer came in and gave away hot dogs. They will giveaway unsold dogs late in the game here and at baseball.

Faith came in to pitch the final two innings. They were 1-2-3 affairs with 4 strikeouts. The Aggies managed one single over those two innings. Brianna Gutierrez was a sixth inning sub for MT. She made a nice catch with her back to the field right after she came in. In the top of the seventh, there was smoke coming from Aggie clubhouse. I think they were grilling lunch for the girls, as I could smell it. Montana wins it, 8-5.

Just a handful of Gameballs this time. Kaci Kiblen had the big blow in the game with a 3-run homer in the second for the Grizzlies. Kaiana Kong pitched 5 scoreless innings in relief, in addition to being the DP for Montana. For the Aggies, Faith Aragon was 2 for 4 with an RBI as the DP and pitched 2 scoreless innings in relief.

Aggie pitching wasn’t that bad, but gave up too many walks and 3 of the 5 scored. The Aggie defense had 2 errors and 2 runs scored on those errors. Aggie hitting had its chances, especially in the fourth with the bases loaded. (There were 7 Aggies left on base for the game. There were 6 for MT, so they could have scored more, too.) They were missing Devin Elam. We hope she’ll be okay next weekend. Was Lauren Garcia not available to pinch hit?

Leaving the stands, I did get some good news. A lady was talking to someone and mentioned that Oklahoma was playing UTEP and beating them, 27-0. (The final would be 34-0 and that was in 5 innings.) OK run ruled all five teams they played this weekend. The Aggies were the only team to at least give them a fight in their game, though they even beat up our mascot in the process.

Thanks to those crappy OK fans, we had record setting attendance for the Troy Cox Classic this weekend, according to AD Joe Fields on Monday. There were people watching that Aggie/OK game from truck beds in parking lot according to Adam. This was a significant economic boost for the community.

I went over and washed car after the game and then went to Smokey Sensations for barbecue. I unfortunately accidentally ordered the wrong thing, but it was still delicious. Even better, I got to watch the end of the Daytona 500 there. The drivers were fairly well-behaved until last lap. The two leaders took each other out right after getting the white flag. No caution. Chase Elliot was leading after the fourth turn and then dumped into the wall by Tyler Reddick, who won the race. There was even another crash on the way to the checkers. I enjoyed the spectacle. I was happy enough to go over to Dairy Queen for a Blizzard (mostly to help my stomach after that spicy meal).

Glad I had Monday off for President’s Day. I went out to the comic book store and got a couple of fun items, including a trade of 60’s Dr. Strange. (In a word, psychedelic.) I also got a delicious small pizza at the Grounded Café, which had a line out the door for lunch. And I went over to see dad and watched a couple of episodes of Jack Ryan. It was a nice mellow way to wrap up the three-day weekend. Aggie Baseball starts this week.

NM State Aggies vs Minnesota Golden Gophers Softball 2-14-26

 

After the Oklahoma/Idaho State game and after my lunch, I went to the bathroom and saw a large crowd queuing up at the gate. It ended up being a great crowd at 754 officially. It was mostly Aggie fans this time (as opposed to last time), I think. Aggie Softball’s opponent, Minnesota, also wears crimson. However, the Golden Gophers team was actually wearing all black with a smiling cartoon gopher head on their jerseys. It was like we were playing the Buckee’s girls softball team. (I’m sure their team has made this observation, as well. It’s too obvious.)

Some of the crowd brought in adorable dogs. There was a beagle puppy, a little wiener dog, and a little fluffy dog with a one of the Aggie girls at the scoring table. He took a nap on a towel on the table. He was so cute. Coach Rodolph was here, but didn’t bring in her half doodle, unfortunately.

The Aggie girls on field were laughing at a couple of Valentines cards on the video screen featuring the players. (It was Valentine’s Day.) Kendal Lunar was pictured in a cute pose with the line, “My lineup is better with you in it.” And there was a mock proposal picture between two of the girls saying, “We make the perfect double play.”

Taryn Bennett started for the Aggies. After a leadoff single, Lucy Hooper bunted. Lauren Garcia ran up from first to get it and threw the ball to first. Unfortunately, it went somewhere downfield instead. Both runners scored on the error. I couldn’t see where exactly where the ball went from where I was sitting and apparently, neither could the Aggies. Tara Wolocko followed that with a solo home run. The Gophers had double, but that was left stranded. 3-0 MN.

The PA announced it was 51-degress in Minnesota. Here in Las Cruces, it was alternating hot and cold in the game depending on the cloud cover and the wind. There was a cold breeze going at times. Taylor Baca gave the ball a ride to centerfield in her at bat, but the wind knocked it down. Devin Elam did single, but that was all for the inning. An usher gave a little girl a foul ball. She kept it. The PA wasn’t asking for the balls back today. I also saw an Oklahoma kid at the game with a signed ball and some Aggie swag. (Visitors love getting giveaways from the host.) There was at least one other OK fan at the game. She was sitting next to me.

Taryn had three fly ball outs for the top of the second. Devin made a running catch in right field for the final out. In the bottom, the Aggies’ offense warmed up. After a pair of singles, Bella Clapp worked with the wind and caught the jet steam for a 3-run homer. A walk followed, but a nice glove flip from Hooper to first helped kill the rally. We were tied at 3.

I was listening to Aggie Men’s Basketball against Jax State on the radio during this game. They were at halftime with the Aggies up, 32-29. Makenzie Jones at third had a hard luck error on a bad hop to start the top of the third. There was nearly another error on Bella at second, but she managed to get the out anyway. Hooper tried to score on a single from second, but Taylor made a great on-target throw to Madi Bachman at the plate to get her and end the inning.

In the bottom of the third, Brooklyn Jones made a running dive and catch on a hit by Devin to start the inning. Next, the wind knocked down a drive by Lauren. The PA announced Joleeanna Hair as “Jojo,” which I’ll go ahead and use for the rest of the season. (Thank you.) She hit a grounder to short that took a bad hop on the shortstop for another error in the game. The infield seems to be rougher than it looks. Jojo was left stranded.

The Gophers scratched out another run in the top of the fourth with a single, a sacrifice, and a double. Makenzie made a diving catch on a foul liner to end the inning with MN up, 4-3. The Aggies got a walk and a single in the bottom, but couldn’t make anything of it.

The Gophers added to their lead with a 2-run homer by Scarlett Kuhn in the fifth. This one was crushed. It was not wind-aided at all. 6-3 MN. Devin doubled to start the Aggie half of the inning. Lauren struck an RBI double liner off of the third baseman’s mitt, which chased the MN starter from the game. Sydney Schwartz came in with a walk, but then proceeded to strike out the side with a great offspeed pitch. Bella was the final batter and even with a mid-at bat from chat from Coach Higgs, she still couldn’t hit it. 6-4 MN.

Top of the sixth, Taryn worked a scoreless inning. There was an error, as Taryn got a comebacker and Bella clanked on the toss while covering first. The umpire was somehow in the middle of that play. Bella had an involved conversation with the umpire between innings. The Aggies were also scoreless in their half. There was a controversy on Makenzie getting hit in her at bat. The umps had a conference and awarded her first. The MN fans piped up in an uproar. At the scorer’s table, Coach Rodolph was taking care of the player’s little, puffy dog. He was irresistible.

The stadium lights came on, though it was maybe an hour before the sun would go down. The Gophers began the seventh with another homer from Wolocko. After that and back-to-back singles, Taryn was finally pulled from the game. I felt so bad for her. I (and I’m sure the team) really want her to figure it out and do well. Faith Aragon came in and handed out a walk to load the bases and then gave up a grand slam to Jae Cosgriff. Faith is a pretty good pitcher. I almost think she wasn’t prepared to come in here. She settled down to get the final two outs. The Aggies would go down in order in the bottom. The Golden Gophers win, 11-4.

I got several Gameballs for the Gophers. Tara Wolocko went 2 for 4 with 2 solo home runs, Scarlett Kuhn was 4 for 4 with 2-RBI’s from a home run, Jae Cosgriff was 2 for 4 with 5 RBI’s including a grand slam, and Sydney Schwartz pitched 3 scoreless innings with 4 strikeouts. For the Aggies, I’ll highlight Bella Clapp for her 3-run homer. The pitching, hitting, and defense (3 errors) weren’t sharp enough to beat a P4 team today, but they were competitive. It was a disappointing loss, though.

The MN team chanted something to their fans in stands after the game. I’m not sure what I heard. Not sure I wanted to. It didn’t seem polite. On the radio, the Men won at basketball at least, 79-77. They lead all the way, but by mostly single digits. I was also finally informed that they’re in last place in the conference in the postgame. I wasn’t aware of that.

I again avoided the nightcap. I wasn’t cold yet and I didn’t want to be. I got home in time to see the end of the O’Rilley Series (it’s going to take a while to get used to that) Daytona race. In spite of the drivers’ best efforts at crashing everyone out, Austin Hill would win the race. Just as well I missed the Softball game, the Aggies lost to Idaho State, 11-7. The Aggies had 5 errors that resulted in 7 unearned runs. Faith Aragon was a bright spot going 3 for 4 with 2 RBI’s and she pitched 4 innings allowing 1 run.

One more day of the Troy Cox Classic on ***Sunday.*** I’m beat, frankly, but I’ll be there.

Idaho State Bengals vs #4 Oklahoma Sooners Softball 2-14-26

I think that's me bottom center in the white floppy hat.

I seriously considered not going to this game. I did want to see more of #4 in the nation, Oklahoma. I just didn’t want to deal with more of their fans. Actually, the matchup I really wanted to see this weekend was Oklahoma against Minnesota. I thought MN might be a closer match anyone else. That was the early morning game, though. The Sooners beat the Golden Gophers, 12-2, in a run rule. So much for that.

The parking lot was again full and the “Sold Out” sign was up at the ticket office for this OK game against the Idaho State Bengals. This has been a banner weekend for the Aggie Softball program, at least monetarily. (The ticket prices were doubled for these games.) The Talking Heads, This Must Be the Place, was my walkup music coming up to the stadium. I like that song.

I didn’t have a problem getting in this time, unlike yesterday, but they were counting everyone, and judging by the full stands, it was close to a sellout. It was mostly Sooner fans, but there were several IDS fans there. I don’t know how many Aggie fans were present, other than myself. I was again lucky to find a seat. This time, I noticed that there were two concessions trailers parked by the soccer field and one of them was serving burgers and tacos. (Too bad they don’t do more of this at Softball, Baseball, and Soccer.)

The PA played Eric Clapton’s It’s in the Way That You Use It. It’s all my 80’s favorites today. OK coach was cheered when she brought out the lineup card. That’s loyalty. IDS was wearing snazzy orange and black uniforms. They made a circle by their dugout and clapped before the game. OK made a circle in the pitching circle before the game.

Marketing Director Nicole Sack walked by and suddenly said, “Hi.” (I was sitting by the aisle.) Perhaps she was surprised to see an Aggie fan here. She was in a good mood and who could blame her with this attendance. Later, back to reality, she was sweeping up popcorn on the stairs.

The top of the first began with a looking strikeout of a Sooner that caught everyone by surprise. The heckling by the OK fans started immediately and never quit on any further close calls. They did agree with the two walks in the inning. Bengal pitcher, Elizabeth Tommasini, did take a hard hit on the leg on a comebacker. She was okay. She later hit a batter, which forced in a run. Another run scored on a fielder’s choice, before Kai Minor cleared the bases with a triple. It was 4-0 Sooners.

During the inning, an OK foul ball hit the tent with their broadcaster. There were lots of foul balls in this game, but very few kids, so nobody chasing them. Also, the crowd was packed in, so getting up to chase them would have been a problem. The PA was giving all of the players some kind of walkup music for the game, likely not to their tastes, but it was upbeat. The PA also announced that it was 60-degrees in OK, 44-degrees in Idaho, and 65-degrees here.

The Bengals only managed a walk in the bottom of the first. In the top of the second, an OK fan in the red and white overalls appeared. It’s almost like a big-time football game. A great infield hit by Abby Dayton, a walk, and a 3-run homer by Kasidi Pickering chased Tommasini from the circle. Josslin Law came in and got the next three batters out. The final out was a looking strikeout on an appeal. Now the OK fans were mad at another umpire. Law had a great offspeed pitch. She was mobbed coming back to the dugout. 7-0 Sooners. The Bengals got two on in the bottom via a walk and an error, but weren’t able to cash them.

A cloud passed overhead and it was like an eclipse with the otherwise bright sunshine. Top of the third, a walk began the inning. The OK and IDS fans around me now agreed that the home plate ump was terrible. The OK fans were getting along better with the IDS fans than they were with the Aggie fans. Minor next blasted a majestic 2-run homer over the new scoreboard. Law was hit on a comebacker by the next batter, but did get the out on the play. She hit a batter and gave up a single, but without further damage. 9-0 Sooners.

In the bottom of the third, the second baseman dropped a grounder, but still got the out at first. Or should I say that the umpire gave her the out at first. There was a pitching change after the second out. Odd, given that Alyssa Parker had a no-hitter going. It wasn’t a good move as Ava Brown came up and broke up it up with a home run to center. 9-1 Sooners.

Gabbie Garcia got the run back to start the fourth with a homer. The PA was now saying “Boomer Sooner” on their home runs. Kennedy Dudley made a nice shoetop liner catch at third before Law retired the side. 10-1 Sooners. In the bottom of the fifth, I think former AD Mario Moccia’s daughter and a friend sat down by me after a couple of other fans had left. She wasn’t next to me, otherwise I might have asked how her dad was doing. There was a leadoff single in the inning, but that was all of the offense. OK wins 10-1 on a run rule. The girls didn’t get to see much of the game before leaving.

The teams made a prayer circle after game. This must be an Oklahoma tradition. They’re trying to make a better impression on the road than their lousy fans are. This began a mass exodus from the stands.

Gameballs for OK, Kasidi Pickering went 2 for 2 with 3 RBI’s and a home run, Kai Minor went 2 for 3 with 4 RBI’s with a home run, and Alyssa Parker gave up no hits or runs for 2 2/3 innings. For the Bengals, Ava Brown broke up the no-hitter with home run, so nice job there.

It was an hour and a half before the next game. I hadn’t planned on this contingency. I wasn’t really hungry, but had nothing better to do, so I went ahead and hit the Concessions trailer. At the grill, I got a $17 burger, chips, and soda. I returned to the empty stands to eat. It was really good. The burger reminded me of the ones served at the El Paso Chihuahuas games, thick and juicy.

I ran into Rito with the Aggievision crew and chatted for minute. I waved to his brother Mando, who was on field setting up a promo pic for the next game. The PA was still playing good music. I was enjoying Tears for Fears’ Head Over Heels.

Several IDS players were hanging out in stands, some with their parents. The girls danced a bit to the PA music, but left before the game started. (Good thing. It ended up being crowded for the Aggie game.) I noticed pitcher Josslin Law with her dad. I went over and complimented her on her offspeed pitch. She’s a cute little blonde. She smiled, giggled, and laughed. If I’d noticed Ava Brown, I would have congratulated her, too.

I was missing the O’Rilley Series Daytona race on TV. (I had to look up who the sponsor was this season.) I had to hope the next softball game with the Aggies would be worth it. I brought my radio for the Men’s Basketball game against Jax State, which would be starting at the same time. From the pregame show, I discovered that the Aggies are in danger of missing the tournament. They may have to win out in their last six games and get some help. Okay, Aggie Softball versus the Golden Gophers, ***up next.***

NM State Aggies vs #4 Oklahoma Sooners Softball 2-13-26

 

The forecast was not good for today for the opening of the Troy Cox Classic, but for a matchup between Aggie Softball and #4 in the nation Oklahoma, I was willing to take some risks. It was cloudy most of the morning, but (of course) it didn’t start sprinkling until I was driving down the street to the game. I took off an hour early for the game expecting a large crowd, especially given that OK had played Montana in the morning (and won 17-0). I’ve seen this happen before (2-17-18).  That game and crowd were unforgettably epic.

At the Softball Complex today, it was about what I expected. The parking lot was full. I ended up in the next door Baseball parking lot. Walking over to the stadium, I ran into Pistol Pete and a Cheerleader. This was the enthusiastic Pete with the big mustache. He liked my floppy hat and I rang my cowbell for him. You know it’s an important game when Pete’s here.

There was a long line at the stadium. I thought it was for tickets. Nope. There was a “Sold out” sign on the ticket office. The sellout happened well before gameday. It was maybe 10 minutes before I reached the gate and they cut off entrance with me. Myself and a bunch of other people behind me stood around for five minutes until an usher came back and said, “Five more.” I got in. I briefly considered giving up my spot, maybe to a visiting Oklahoma fan, but there were so many people behind me, why bother?

The stands were packed. Attendance was listed at 978. This was less than the previous meeting (1,200), but people were sitting in the aisles then (and the fire department showed up to clear them out). A police officer was observing the stands before the game. Unfortunately, maybe half of the crowd was for the Sooners. (Maybe even more than half.) OK had their own radio announcer under a tent at the top of the stands.

I didn’t get a program. I didn’t even see one as I hustled into the stadium. I didn’t see the Concessions trailer either, though I saw people with concessions. I was lucky to get a seat. I was close to the top and could see the new all-turf Baseball field. It looks great. Coach Rodolph was on the softball field. She went over to the OK dugout and then came over and hugged the umps. That’s probably the friendliest she’s ever been with an umpiring crew. AD Joe Fields was also here.

Aggies huddled up for a long time before the game. The rain started increasing. The proceedings started with a video tribute for Coach Rodolph. She’s a 6-time conference champ, 4 NCAA appearances, and 600 wins. She threw out the first pitch. After that was a message from the New Mexico Lt. Governor. He’s apparently a big softball fan and had scouted Zantelle Rodriguez on the Aggies and helped finance the new videoboard. Pistol Pete was working it for the crowd with a hat toss before the game.

I don’t think the scans truly reflect the condition of these scorecards. They are highly rain damaged. Given the conditions, I did great job of filling these out. It helped that the game was very sharply played, in spite of the rain. I think there was only one play that was a bit strange, but even then, it was what it appeared to be. (I’ve usually said, “If nothing weird happens at your softball game, you should ask for your money back.”)

Jaileen Mancha started for the Aggies. She started off the game with a walk. After a single, Gabbie Garcia came up. She just seemed to make a little slap hit to left, but it popped over the fence. You wouldn’t think the ball would carry in the heavy, wet air. Jai hit the next batter, who was driven in with a single. All nine OK batters came up in the inning before the third out. 4-0 Sooners.

The Aggies punched back in the bottom of the first. The new third baseman, Makenzie Jones (she was new to me, at least), walked. Devin Elam, C-USA Player of the Week last week, was back in the lineup. She hit a shallow liner that the left fielder just missed. Taylor Baca then doubled both of them in with a liner just out of centerfielder’s reach. 4-2 Sooners.

The PA announced it was 72-degrees and partly cloudy in Oklahoma and 65-degrees and raining here. Usually, we have better weather than the visitors, so this announcement backfired. A couple of ballhawk kids were waiting by the entrance. The stands were packed to the pointed that kids would not be running out of their seats for foul balls. Some fans who got concessions came back and reported that there were still people waiting in line outside. They were hoping people would leave, so they’d be allowed in. I hope the fans who didn’t get in were given refunds. (I found out later that people were in the parking lot standing in truck beds to watch the game.)

Jai worked a scoreless second. She was helped out by Makenzie snagging a liner at third, which almost turned into a double play with a runner at first nearly being doubled off. The Whataburger video played and coupons were handed out. That makes the commercial worthwhile. Next time I’m hungry for a burger there, I’m jumping up and waving my arms for a coupon. Kendal Lunar began the bottom of the second with a low line drive home run to center. The Aggies threatened for more with a couple of singles, but a reliever, Audrey Lowry, came in and closed the door. 4-3 OK.

OK got the offense going in the top of the third. After a walk, Isabela Emerling cranked off a massive foul ball to left. She’d have to settle for a single. Ailana Agbayani drove in a run on a single. Tamara Carranza made a nice over the shoulder catch at short for the first out, but then Kai Minor doubled in the runners and chased Jai from the game.

We were getting serenaded with a “Boomer Sooner” chant on these runs. Pistol Pete started a “Let’s go Aggies!” chant. I was sitting some OK fans. They were obnoxious. One of them started in on Pete. He said, “Don’t have a bad time on my account.” She answered with, “I’m having a good time. Look at the scoreboard.” Admittedly, that’s a pretty good burn, but a poor attitude. Arguing with other team’s mascot isn’t going to endear you to your hosts.

Zantelle came in and walked the first three batters, which drove in a run. Garcia then cleared the bases with a double. It still wasn’t over. There was another walk. The Aggies got the second out on Tamara making a nice throw to third from short on a grounder. The Sooners protested this play for some reason, but it seemed like a straight-forward force out. Freshman Kalena Lemus came in and walked her first batter. Agbayani would single in another run, before Lauren Garcia at first made a diving catch to finally end the inning. Damage done, 12-3 OK.

Lauren doubled to start the bottom of the third. Tamara was then hit in the back on a pitch. Kendal came up right after with a massive F-You 3-run blast. That’s how to get revenge. Lowry buckled down and struck out the next two batters. 12-6 OK.

Kalena worked a 1-2-3 fourth. Makenzie made another good play at third with a nice scoop and throw to first. Meanwhile, Pete was having a running fight with OK fans. Finally, he said, “I’m making enough enemies.” The bottom of the fourth began with Nelly McEnroe-Marinas at third making a dive catch on a liner. Devin tripled as the left fielder slipped trying to field it. Keep in mind, it is wet on the field and raining off and on. Lauren walked, but both Aggie runners were left stranded.

The Sooners batted around again in the top of the fifth. Kalena was left in to weather the barrage of 3 homers (including a 3-run shot by Agbayani) and 2 singles (with a pair of walks). An OK fan tried to get Pete to say, “Boomer Sooner” after a home run. At this point, I was hoping for a run rule, partly to get out of the rain, but mostly to get away from the OK fans. The Aggie defense was still good. Taylor made a running dive catch for the first out of the inning. 18-6 OK.

In the bottom of the fifth, the OK fans around me left early. They had something better to do? Bella Clapp singled in the bottom of the fifth, but that was all. Oklahoma wins 18-6 in a run rule. Both teams gathered for a prayer circle after the game. At least I can feel good about the OK players.

Gameballs. For the Sooners, Gabbie Garcia was 3 for 4 with 6 RBI’s and a home run, Ailana Agbayani (that’s a fun name to say) went 3 for 3 with 5 RBI’s and a home run, and lastly, there’s the odd line for Ella Parker and Abby Dayton in right field, who had no at bats and 4 runs scored.

For the Aggies, Taylor Baca was 1 for 3, but had a clutch 2-run double and Kendal Lunar was 2 for 3 with 2 home runs and 4 RBI’s. It was a very clean game for the Aggies defensively. They looked sharper in this game than last week. However, the killer for the Aggies was the 8 walks and 2 hit by pitches. 9 of those free passes scored.

So, damp and chilled to the bone, I went to work. I didn’t have enough time to go home and change. I dried out, but didn’t feel warm again until I was home and went to bed under my blankets. The Aggies did play a nightcap with Montana. The rain probably stopped, but of course, it got colder at sundown. The Aggies won it, 8-3. From the stats, some errors by the Grizzlies gifted the Aggies 3 early runs. It was a good Aggie team effort hitting. Faith Aragon pitched all 7 innings and was 2 for 4 and scored 3 runs. Maybe Coach Higgs should have used her for this game.

***Saturday*** we’re back for more of the Troy Cox Classic.