LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The New Mexico State baseball team (16-22, 7-11 Conference USA) dropped three games to Sam Houston (17-23, 7-11 CUSA) at Presley Askew Field at Johnson Stadium this past weekend series in heartbreaking fashion by the scores 8-7, 4-3 and 12-10.
GAME ONE
SHSU got off to a fast start in the series opener Friday, April 17, scoring three runs right from the get-go in the top of the first inning to take an early lead.
They then stopped NMSU from scoring in the bottom of the frame and put together an even more impressive second inning by scoring five runs to take a commanding 8-0 advantage. A two-run home run from Ryan Franden and an RBI double from Cade Corcoran are what sparked this.
The Aggies were able to get on the board in the bottom of the second frame, as Boston Vest hit an RBI single.
After holding the Bearkats scoreless in the top of the third inning, NMSU found momentum in the bottom of the frame. Jonatan Clough continued his impressive play as of late with a three-run home run to get the Aggies within four runs.
After two consecutive scoreless innings for both teams, NMSU continued to add to its run. In the bottom of the sixth, Tommy Meluskey drove in a run with an RBI single. The Aggies scored again in the inning and in the eighth to get within one run but it was not enough, as they failed to score any runs in the final frame to complete the comeback, leaving the final score 8-7, Sam Houston.
SHSU pitcher Ryan Peterson earned the win and Colton Sneddon took home the loss for NMSU.
GAME TWO
After a slow start for both teams in Saturday night’s matchup, the Aggies got in the scoring column in the bottom of the second inning. After Meluskey and Dane Woodcook got on base, Vest hit an RBI single to get the scoring started. Las Cruces native Steve Solorzano followed this up with a sacrifice fly to drive in Woodcook and give NMSU an early 2-0 lead.
The Bearkats later responded in the fifth frame to even the game up at two runs a piece. After putting pressure on the Aggies by loading up the bases, SHSU capitalized with an RBI double from Sean Bazmore.
The Bearkats added to their lead in the eighth by scoring two runs to take a 4-2 advantage. However, the Aggies quickly responded in the bottom of the inning. Clough doubled to start and moved to third before Easton Rulli drove him in with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to one, with the Aggies trailing 4-3. However, the score would stay that way, as this was the final run NMSU scored. SHSU pitcher Connor Mondey earned the win in relief and Aggie pitcher Hazen Wright took the loss.
GAME THREE
The final game of the series saw NMSU get off to another fast start, scoring three runs in the first inning. After Aidan Taclas got on base, he was able to eventually score on a wild pitch. Chris Daniels followed this up with a double and later scored on a Clough RBI single. Rulli then sacrificed fly to give NMSU an early 3-0 advantage.
The Bearkats later tied the game in the top of the third frame with three runs of their own. The Aggies responded quickly thanks to a pair of wild pitches to take a one-run lead. SHSU then found momentum, adding runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth to take a convincing 9-4 lead.
NMSU got back in the game in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring three runs to cut the deficit to two. Woodcook and Vest hit singles to start the frame strong. They later scored on RBI singles from Taclas and Camden Kaufman.
The Bearkats took the momentum right back in the top of the eighth, scoring another three runs to regain a five-run lead.
It came down to the Aggies needing to score five runs in the bottom of the ninth to extend the game and they did not go out without a fight. After loading the bases, Meluskey hit a huge triple to get NMSU within two runs. Unfortunately for Aggie fans, the team had nothing left in the tank and lost another close game, falling 12-10 to the Bearkats. SHSU pitcher Collin Aloisio took home the win in relief and Jack Turner took the loss for NMSU.
The Aggies will be back in action against No. 25 Arizona State (28-13, 11-7 Big 12) at 5:30 p.m. MT Wednesday, April 22, at Phoenix Municipal Stadium in Phoenix.
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