May 12, 2025

NM State Aggies Begin CUSA Championship Pursuit

News Summary

The NM State Aggies softball team is gearing up for the CUSA Championship, facing LA Tech in the opening round. The Aggies aim for their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2018 and their first CUSA title, with a strong focus on clean defense and offensive strategy. Standout player Desirae Spearman is poised to lead the team, while head coach Kathy Rodolph emphasizes the importance of the championship as a chance for redemption following previous challenges.

Bowling Green, KY – The NM State Aggies softball team is set to kick off the CUSA Championship on Wednesday, May 7, facing No. 4 seed LA Tech in the tournament’s opening round. The Aggies, who enter the championship as the fifth seed, are aiming for their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2018 and seek to capture their first CUSA title. The game is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. CT (1:30 p.m. MT) at the WKU Softball Complex in Bowling Green.

The CUSA Championship features a four-day, double-elimination format with a total of ten matchups across the first three days, culminating in a single championship game on Saturday, May 10. NM State’s current record stands at 27-25 overall and 14-13 in CUSA play, while LA Tech boasts a record of 30-23 and 15-12 in conference games. The Aggies have a historical edge over LA Tech, leading the all-time series 21-16 under current head coach Kathy Rodolph, with a record of 16-15 against the Bulldogs.

In their recent encounters, NM State faced LA Tech on March 9, 2025, where they fell 4-10, marking a one-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. However, the Aggies are coming off a successful outing last week where they faced Kennesaw State, achieving a 6-2 victory in the opening game, then recovering from a narrow second-game loss with a thrilling 5-4 win in 13 innings to secure the series.

As the championship approaches, head coach Rodolph emphasizes the significance of clean defense and offensive continuity. The Aggies’ success will rely heavily on their standout player, Desirae Spearman, who is acknowledged as the fifth-best two-way player in the country. Spearman leads the pitching staff with 108.0 innings pitched, 112 strikeouts, and a 3.44 ERA. Offensively, Spearman ranks high in several CUSA categories, leading in walks and slugging percentage while occupying the second spot for home runs and runs scored.

NM State’s Associate Head Coach Cat Heifner, who returned to the team after battling cancer, has had a noteworthy impact since her return, with the Aggies holding a record of 5-1 in that span. Additionally, three NM State players received postseason accolades from CUSA, with Spearman earning a First-Team designation, Kristiana Watson securing a Second-Team slot, and Tamara Carranza being named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team.

LA Tech, under the leadership of head coach Josh Taylor, holds an overall record of 133-89 in his four seasons. The Bulldogs are powered by standout players including Reagan Marchant, who has hit 17 home runs, and their ace pitcher Allie Floyd, leading the conference with 177 strikeouts.

This season for NM State shows an outscoring disadvantage overall, yet they display strong performance in odd-numbered innings. The contest against LA Tech presents not only an opportunity for the Aggies to advance in the conference but also a platform for redemption following a challenging start to the season. With the opening round matchup set, fans are eager to see if NM State can make a lasting impression in this year’s CUSA Championship.

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Author: STAFF HERE BOWLING GREEN WRITER

The BOWLING GREEN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBowlingGreen.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Bowling Green, Warren County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the National Corvette Homecoming, International Festival, concerts at SKyPAC, and sports events at Beech Bend Park. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce and the African American Museum Bowling Green Area, plus leading businesses in automotive, apparel, and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors Corvette Assembly Plant, Fruit of the Loom, and Med Center Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERELexingtonKY.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.

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