GRAND FORKS, N.D. – Dominant starting pitching helped New Mexico State (29-20, 17-6) sweep Saturday's doubleheader against North Dakota (8-33, 4-19). Both Marcel Renteria and Kyle Bradish pitched their best outings of the season in the twin bill, with neither allowing a run. The 6-0 and 4-0 wins were the first shutout wins for the Aggies since shutting out Seattle U 4-0 on May 17, 2013.  
 
GAME ONE
                        
Junior Marcel Renteria shut down the Fighting Hawks offense striking out a career high 12 batters and only allowing three hits over his seven innings pitched in the 6-0 win.
 
The Aggies came out red hot as Daniel Johnson led off with a single to left. Greg Popylisen beat out a bunt down the first base line for a base hit. Dan Hetzel flew out to left, but moved Johnson and Popylisen into scoring position. Mason Fishback scored both Johnson and Popylisen with a double down the right field line, putting the Aggies up 2-0.
 
NM State kept it rolling in the second inning as Joe Koerper singled to left. Brent Sakurai scored Koerper with a triple off the left center wall. Daniel Johnson singled up the middle, scoring Sakurai.
 
The Aggies scored twice more in the sixth and ninth innings. Austin Botello blasted a led off solo shot to right field. L.J. Hatch launched his own solo homer to left in the ninth, sealing the 6-0 win for NM State.
 
GAME TWO
 
The Aggies' pitching continued its dominance in the second game, as freshman Kyle Bradish went seven innings only allowing three hit and two walks, while striking out four batters.
 
The offense kept rolling as well, as Daniel Johnson led off the fourth inning with a single to right. Johnson was caught stealing second during the next at-bat for only the fourth time all season. Greg Popylisen singled through the left side. Austin Botello followed suit with a single to right, putting runners at the corners. Dan Hetzel reached second on an E1, scoring Popylisen.
 
In the sixth inning, Mason Fishback hit a laser to center for a single. On the first pitch, L.J. Hatch blasted his second home run of the day, this one a two-run shot to left center putting the Aggies up 3-0.
 
NM State added a final run in the seventh as Joe Koerper led off with a double off the center wall. Brent Sakurai laid down a sacrifice bunt, moving Koerper to third. Greg Popylisen singled to center, scoring Koerper and giving the Aggies a 4-0 lead.
 
Tyler Erwin and Joe Galindo came in the eighth and ninth innings, respectively, and continued to shut down the Fighting Hawks offense. Both Erwin and Galindo only allowed a hit a piece, while Galindo struck out three batters and Erwin struck out one.
 
The two teams will face off in the series finale tomorrow at 11 a.m.