LAS CRUCES, N.M.-- The top-seeded New Mexico State Aggies staved off two elimination games to claim the WAC title from CSU Bakersfield's softball team. The 'Runners fought hard all day long, coming back from deficits multiple times, but NMSU's offense constantly responded.

Bakersfield (21-25, 7-8 WAC) far exceeded all expectations for its season after being voted to finish dead last in the preseason WAC Coaches poll. The Roadrunners earned three WAC All-Tournament nods thanks to outstanding efforts by Madison Bundy, Sydney Raeber, and Kelsie Monroe.

After the game, Head Coach Crissy Buck-Ziegler had the highest of praises for her seniors: “I cannot say thank you enough to Kelsie, Ashley Carter, and Madison enough for everything they gave, not only today, but throughout their years in the program. They have left their mark and have catalyzed this team for next year.”

Buck-Ziegler also recognized the fact that her squad turned heads all season long: “Being picked last in the WAC and coming out and being runner-up is a tribute to our student-athletes and them believing that we can get this done. Now we have to go back out on that recruiting trail and make sure we have the necessary tools to reload for next year.”

Despite the loss, Bakersfield's head coach had high praises for her squad: “I'm really proud of this 2015 team. I think it's one that is going to go down in CSUB history.” Bakersfield certainly made history, posting the best record since the 2009 season.

Game 1 - NMSU 7, CSUB 4

Second baseman Adrianna Cardoza led off the game with a patient at bat that resulted in a walk for CSUB. After moving to second on a wild pitch, freshman Julea Cavazos delivered an RBI double to give the 'Runners a 1-0 lead.

The high-powered NMSU offense would not remain quiet for long as the Aggies answered back in the bottom half of the first. After an error allowed the leadoff batter aboard before Emma Adams hit a two-run home run to center field. New Mexico State took their first lead of the game, going up 2-1 on Bakersfield.

The 'Runners got some help from the Aggies in the top of the second as two errors and a Raeber single loaded the bases. Cardoza hit a sharp ball which was snagged by a diving first baseman. Bakersfield's redshirt junior legged an RBI single out to tie the game at two runs apiece.

With a one-run lead in the top of the fourth, Bundy sent a solo home run to dead center. The senior's blast was Bundy's sixth home run of the season and third of the tournament as CSUB took a 4-2 lead. With the homer, Bundy earned a spot in the CSUB Division I record book at fifth for both single-season and career home runs (8).

After two early errors, the 'Runner defense turned itself around and started flashing the glove. Nice plays from Cardoza, Alexandrea Simmons, and Karsyn Guzman helped Monroe to continue rolling through the Aggies. In the bottom of the fourth with one on and one out, Guzman snared a line drive above her head, then doubled off NMSU to keep a two-run lead.

Adams single handedly attempted to keep NSMU in the game as her fifth inning single was her third hit of the day. After a double by WAC Player of the Year, Staci Rodriguez, the Aggies got a lucky break. 20 mile per hour winds pushed a high fly ball to a single that scored a run. A pinch hit single by Nue Sivia drove in two more runs as the Aggies took the lead for the first time since the first inning.

On a full count with two outs in the top of the sixth, Cavazos drew a walk to load the bases for Bakersfield. A weak grounder to first helped the Aggies get out of the jam with their 5-4 lead in tact. NMSU went on to tack on two insurance runs in the bottom of the inning. Rodriguez sent a line drive over the left field wall to bring two runs in and give the Aggies a 7-4 lead.

The 'Runners were unable to close the gap and fell in the first championship game. NMSU forced a second and final matchup, where the winner would claim the WAC title.

Game 2 - NMSU 18, CSUB 10 (6 inn.)

New Mexico State got out to a quick 2-0 lead thanks to Adams' bat. With one on, the Aggies' third baseman hit her third home run of the tournament. Adams also recorded her ninth and tenth RBI of the championships with the blast. Raeber, Bakersfield's Game 2 starter, battled back and retired the next six Aggies in a row.

In the bottom of the second, the 'Runners got their first chance to answer back. Guzman wound up on second after a single and a wild pitch. Two more singles, including Curry's RBI hit, brought Guzman home and kept CSUB in prime position.

Bundy singled home her fifth RBI of the tournament and Raeber reached on a fielder's choice that failed to record an out. With the bases loaded, Cardoza picked up an RBI on a sacrifice fly to left field which scored Nicole Curry. The sacrifice gave the 'Runners a 3-2 advantage, their first lead since the fifth inning of Game 1.

After retiring 11 straight Aggies, Raeber gave up a walk to pitcher Dallas McBride in the fourth. The free base proved to be costly as Malena Padilla hit a two-run shot to left field to take a 4-3 lead. Tatum Reedy immediately followed it up with a solo home run of her own. Raeber got the final out of the inning, but the two-out rally helped NMSU to a 5-4 lead.

The resilient 'Runner squad showed no signs of quitting, pressuring right back in the bottom half of the fourth. Carter singled to lead off and her pinch runner eventually scored on a grounder by Raeber. Bundy, who doubled, got stranded at third as McBride continued to fight off the 'Runners. CSUB cut the deficit in half, trailing NMSU 5-4 through four complete innings.

The Aggies, who came into the game 10th in the country in home runs per game, hit three consecutive home runs in the fifth inning to take an 8-4 lead. 

As they did all weekend, the Roadrunners mounted another comeback. CSUB answered right back with four runs in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 8-8. After loading the bases with one out, Bakersfield got RBI base hits out of Carter, Bundy, Raeber, and Cardoza.

The wild ride continued as the Aggie offense exploded for ten runs in the top of the sixth. NMSU took an 18-8 lead into CSUB's final three outs. Carter sent a two-run home run over the left field fence to cut the score to 18-10. Despite battling back all day and all tournament, the 'Runners could not muster the final run they needed to keep the game going into the seventh inning.

Bundy concluded the second game going 4-for-4 with three doubles and two RBI. Carter and Curry both added three hits. Carter, Bakersfield's four-year catcher, finished by tying a career-high with three RBI.

~GoRunners.com~