Junior Celisha Walker and senior Alex Newman combined on a three-hit shutout on Tuesday as New Mexico State defeated host New Mexico 2-0 in softball.

The Aggies (16-12) took two of the three games in the Rio Grande Rivalry series.

“It is really nice to get a rivalry game on the road,” coach Kathy Rodolph said. “The win is a great way to kick off conference play for us. I thought we did a great job of putting the ball in play with runners in scoring position. We played well on defense and I think this is great for our momentum going into the weekend.”

Walker pitched 2â…” hitless innings, then was pulled once she issued her first base on balls. Newman came on and promptly walked a batter before getting the final out on a grounder. The two combined had only one strikeout, and the Aggies made two errors that they overcame.

Lauren Soles allowed five hits and struck out seven in a complete-game performance for New Mexico (14-18).

New Mexico State scored its first run when leadoff hitter Amber Olive doubled, then eventually came around on a bases-loaded walk. Soles got out of a jam with a double play.

The Aggies’ other run came in the fifth, when catcher Alyssa Ruiz singled. Her pinch-runner, Chelsea Dohrwardt, then moved up on a passed ball and a sacrifice. Kristi Covarrubia followed with an RBI hit.

Meanwhile, the Lobos were held hitless until shortstop Jordyn Bledsoe’s one-out fifth-inning double. But Kaity Ingram was called out on interference with the catcher, and Newman struck out Karissa Haleman swinging.
— This article appeared on page D2 of the Albuquerque Journal