HOBBS, NM - The Oklahoma Panhandle State Aggie (2-0) softball team opened their season on the road for a four-game series against the University of the Southwest Mustangs(0-2). The Aggies didn't skip a beat in getting the bats hot as they would total 24 hits on the day, and sweep the Mustangs on the day.

The Aggies dominated their first game of the double-header behind a stand-out performance from Junior Sarah Conley. 

The Panhandle State bats seemed to be ready to go as soon as they got off the bus in Hobbs, New Mexico. As the Aggies would score in all but two innings of the game and a hit in all but one. Senior Kinzie Jones would start the Aggies off on the right foot as she belted the first home run of the year for the team to give the Aggies an early one-to-nothing lead. The Aggies would not let up as they continued their offensive onslaught throughout the game. Finishing with seven runs on ten hits. 

Looking to start the season on the right foot, Head Coach Marc Benjamin looked to rely on his upperclassman as well as a couple of newcomers to fill out the Aggie team. Neither was disappointed on the day. Sarah Conley, Yaya Jones, and Kinzie Jones set the tone for the upperclassmen while sophomore Kenzie Monroe also held her own in their first game. The Aggies continued their offensive onslaught in their second game of the double-header. Matching the ten hits from their previous game by the third inning. Once again rallying behind the outputs of Kinzie Jones and Kenzie Monroe. They combined for 5 hits and 5 RBIs as the Aggies won game two 14 to 5. 

Game 1

The Aggies were red hot at the plate despite their season opener having been pushed back numerous times. Getting to an early 4 to 1 lead in the third inning. However, the Aggies were not done. Going on to score three more before the conclusion of the game to win it 7-1. A game that seemed to ride off of the first-inning home run from senior Kinzie Jones. 

Junior pitcher Sarah Conley (1-0) would get the nod in the season opener for the Aggies. Conley finished her 2021 season totaling 74 strikeouts after eclipsing one hundred career strikeouts as an Aggie earlier in the season. After her sixteen strikeout performance in the first game of the double-header, she has now reached 150 career strikeouts as an Aggie. Conley was relentless on the mound. Having to pitch around errors to keep the Mustangs from scoring. She would throw a complete game for the Aggies facing 27 batters, striking out 16, and allowing only 3 hits.

Three Aggies had a multi-hit game in the season opener. Kinzie Jones, Yaya Jones, and Kenzie Monroe all totaled two hits in the game. Able to pick apart the Mustang pitching and scramble for extra bases. They were directly responsible for four of the Aggies' ten seven runs. 

Newcomer Taylor Blanton saw considerable playing time behind the plate due to the absence of junior Kaitlyn Lord. Blanton would notch the first hit of her collegiate career and as an Aggie in the top of the 5th in a two-run inning for the Aggies. 

Game 2 

The Aggies proved they were not one-hit wonders as they entered their second game of the double-header. Putting up only crooked numbers as they defeat the Mustangs 14-5 for the last game of the day. Another game where senior Kinzie Jones launched her second home run of the day to create early momentum for the Aggies.

Sophomore pitcher Kenley Yocom (1-0) earned the start in game 2 of the double-header. Coming into the 2022 season after having led the team last year in era (5.42). She would also total 78 innings pitched while fanning 65. Yocom would notch the win after going five innings allowing seven hits, two earned runs and had four strikeouts. 

The Aggies would look to the bullpen for the first time this season with freshman Rylin Baker in the six-inning. Baker would go a complete inning shutting the door on the Mustangs as the Aggies completed the run-rule. 

To one-up game one of the series, the Aggies looked to produce even more on offense. Having five Aggies reach at least two hits in game two. Kinzie Jones, Kayli Grove, Kenzie Monroe, Tatum Trester, and Taylor Blanton had multi-hit games. The whole Aggie lineup saw some sort of production against the Mustangs in game two. 

The Aggies did not shy away from getting freshmen and newcomers into the game against the Mustangs. As Blanton accumulated numerous milestones on the day. Achieving not only her first career start behind the dish but also her first career hit as a collegiate athlete and Panhandle State Aggie. Freshmen Saur and Baker also saw immediate contribution to the team as they win their first two games of the season. 

Panhandle State Softball returns to action looking for the series sweep tomorrow February 7th at 12 PM MST and 2 PM MST.