Game One
Monmouth (0-1) – 1
New Mexico State (1-0) – 4  

Game Two
Monmouth (0-2) – 3
New Mexico State (2-0) – 10
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Monmouth University Softball Team began its 2024 season with two losses in a doubleheader at New Mexico State on Friday.
 
After four and a half scoreless frames, the Aggies broke through in game one on an RBI groundout in the bottom half of the fifth followed by a three-run sixth. Former Aggie Ana Rodriguez gave Monmouth its lone run on a pinch-hit RBI double in the seventh, but the Hawks made the final out on the bases before the tying run could step up to the plate, as the home team held on for the 4-1 victory.

Junior Billie Kerwood pitched a complete game in the circle for the Hawks despite being credited with the loss. The right-hander allowed six hits and four earned runs over 6.0 innings while striking out two batters.

Monmouth led game two for two frames after receiving RBI knocks from Abby Warner and Mackenzie Bloss, as well as earning a run on an Aggie error. Leading 3-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, New Mexico State scored four in each of the next two innings and held on for the 10-3 win.

NOTES & NUMBERS
- Rodriguez, Warner, and Bloss all recorded RBIs for the Hawks
- Billie Kerwood struck out two batters in the game one start
- This was the first two meetings between the schools
- Olivia Lewis made her first career start in the circle
- New Mexico State left eight runners on base, while Monmouth left seven.
 
UP NEXT
The Hawks follow up with two games as members of the Dr. Natalicio Memorial Tournament hosted by UTEP on Saturday. Monmouth will face UTEP at 4:00 p.m. and then Western Michigan at 7:00.