LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Aggies came up just short in the 3-1 loss to Maine on Friday night. The lone bright spot for the Aggies was junior Austin Botello, who went three-for-four at the plate.
 
The night did not start off as planned for the Aggies as righty Kyle Bradish walked Danny Casals on a 3-1 pitch to start the game. Casals then advanced to third during the next at-bat on an errant throw as he tried to steal second. Maine got on the board first as Tyler Schwanz doubled down the left field line, scoring Casals.
 
The Aggies were held hitless in the home half of the first, and did not get reached base until the second inning when Botello doubled for his first hit of the night.
 
The Black Bears tacked on another run in the top of the third as Jeremy Pena hit a double. Schwanz once again drove in the run, this time with a single up the middle making the score 2-0.
 
Joseph Koerper singled through the left side to lead off the home half of the third, but was gunned down at second as Jay Sheeley hit into a fielder's choice the next at-bat. Brent Sakurai singled, putting runners at the corners with one out. Unfortunately, Daniel Johnson hit into a 3-4 double play to end the inning.
 
Maine pushed the score to 3-0 in the fifth inning with Tyler Schwanz advancing to first after being hit by a pitch. He then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Brett Chappel brought him home with a RBI single up the middle.
 
The Aggies finally got a run in the home half of the seventh, with Trey Stine doubling to the left field corner and advancing to third on a wild pitch. Senior Cameron Haskins got NM State's lone RBI with a double to the same spot, plating Stine. Botello proceeded to follow suit with a double of his own off the wall in right center. With runners at second and third with no outs, both Mason Fishback and Joseph Koerper popped up to the first baseman, with pinch hitter Dan Hetzel striking out looking to end the inning.
 
NM State hit more bad luck as in the eighth inning Brent Sakurai singled to lead off the inning but got caught up in an unassisted double play, with Daniel Johnson hitting a hard liner to the first baseman.
 
The chance came again for the Aggies in the bottom half of the ninth when Trey Stine earned a leadoff walk. Cameron Haskins struck out looking on a 1-2 pitch for the first out of the inning. Botello singled to right to move Stine to third. Jaron Balman, pinch hitting for Mason Fishback, struck out on a 2-2 count for the second out. With the game on the line, Zak Felix came in to pinch hit for Joseph Koerper and hit a rocket to the first baseman for the final out of the game.
 
NM State and Maine will face off again tomorrow in a double header starting at 2 p.m.