Sports

 JT Keith

Five reasons the Artesia boys' baseball team reclaimed the District 4-4A crown

Artesia District 4-4A doubles tennis champions and runner ups are Artesia’s Breckyn Miller, on the left, Kirklyn Miller, Adrian Harvey and on the right, Anna Neatherlin. Provided by Artesia tennis team.

Softball tournaments turned the season around for the Artesia Lady ‘Dogs

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. – A new season is on the horizon for NM State Softball. The CUSA Championship begins on Wednesday, with the fifth-seeded Aggies taking on No. 4 LA Tech in the opening round of the four-day, double-elimination tournament. Kathy Rodolph's bunch is on the prowl for its first trip to an NCAA Regional since 2018 and the program's first CUSA title.Kathy Rodolph: 16-15Desirae Spearman double while Faith Aragon pitched seven innings, including the final five scoreless, to pick up her 12th win of 2025.Kathy Rodolph, on the keys for success in the CUSA Championship: "We just need to continue to play clean defense, keep attacking in the circle, and find a way to pass the bat offensively. I think collectively, we're playing a little more confidently. We're playing together better and feeding off each other. I like what I see in the circle in terms of limiting run production. We're playing clean defense, so when we do that, it allows our offense not to press."Cat Heifner. The 21st-year Aggie hitting coach spent the first 11 weeks of the season away from the team while battling cancer. After arriving back in Las Cruces two weeks ago, Heifner made her return to the dugout for the first time against Middle Tennessee as her squad picked up a crucial sweep over Senior Weekend.Desirae Spearman led the way with her second consecutive First-Team designation while Kristiana Watson picked up a Second-Team slot. Tamara Carranza was one of 11 individuals named to the CUSA All-Freshman Team, becoming the second Aggie to do so after Spearman in 2024. Faith Aragon (122.1) for the team lead. The El Paso native still paces the Aggies in both strikeouts thrown (112) and ERA (3.44). In 20 starts, the two-way star has amassed 11 victories, placing her in a tie for seventh among all CUSA pitchers in 2025. Faith Aragon landed the Aggies wins in each of the first two outings, earning 5-0 and 3-1 victories. On Sunday, the home team pulled out a victory to avoid the sweep, capitalizing on five Aggie errors to win 10-4. 

The Lady 'Dogs accomplished their first goal this season by winning the district title. Now, Artesia opens District 4-4A play on Saturday at 10 a.m., against Deming.