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.