LAS CRUCES, N.M. — Sam Houston could not recover from a big fourth inning by New Mexico State in an 8-4 loss Friday at the NM State Softball Complex. 

The Bearkats (17-17, 6-4 CUSA) struggled to overcome four home runs by the Aggies in the Conference USA series opener. 

Samantha Graeter smashed a two-run home run, her second of the season, to put the Kats up 2-0 in the second inning. 

Five different Bearkats recorded a hit, including Jenny Robison, who had a two-run single in the third. 

New Mexico State took the lead in the fourth, hitting three home runs in the inning. Kendall Daniel came in as relief with the Bearkats trailing 8-4. 

Makenzi Jenkins (0-2) took the loss, allowing three home runs in the fourth. She pitched 2/3 of an inning, giving up four runs on three hits. 

Tiffany Sanchez started in the circle for Sam Houston, allowing four runs on three hits in 2 2/3 innings. 

The Bearkats will play game two of the series Saturday at 5 p.m. The game can be followed on StatBroadcast.