SALT LAKE CITY – The New Mexico State baseball team closed out their weekend series against the Utah Utes on Sunday at Smith's Ballpark. The game saw starting pitcher Jonathan Groff threw 8.1 innings as he picked up the win after NM State shut out defending Pac-12 champion Utah, 3-0.
 
How it happened
The Aggies production started early with Austin Botello lacing a two-out triple in the top half of the first, followed by a double from Dan Hetzel knocking in the team's first run. Then Mason Fishback doubled to left center to bring home Hetzel before the first inning wrapped up to put the Aggies up 2-0 early.
 
After a scoreless second inning for both clubs, NM State added some insurance.  With two outs in the third inning, the Aggies loaded the bases as Greg Popylisen came up to the plate. On a 1-2 count, Popylisen knocked home the team's third run of the game as everyone advanced on an error by the second baseman.
 
The 3-0 lead was enough for the Aggies as Jonathan Groff was able to hold the Utes scoreless over eight innings of work.
 
With 32 batters faced on the day, Groff did not allow the opposition to form any semblance of a comeback as the hurler only gave up four hits while adding five strikeouts on the day.
 
The Aggies thwarted the Utes best opportunity to cut into the team's lead with solid play in the field during the fourth inning. After Utah's Josh Rose doubled to left field, the opponent had their first runner of the day in scoring position. However, the Aggies tagged Rose out at third on a fielder's choice and got the next batter to ground into a double play to hold the shutout.
 
Neither team could put additional runs up on the board over the remainder of the contest as Groff cruised to the ninth inning and Ruger Rodriguez then came in to close out the game. Although Utah had two men on and only one out with the potential tying run at the plate, Rodriguez went on to strikeout the next two batters as NM State secured the victory.
 
After the contest, Jonathan Groff picked up the win, moving to 2-2 on the season and Rodriguez earned his third save of the year. Three Aggies recorded multiple hits, led by Brent Sakurai with three base knocks in four plate appearances.
 
The victory on Sunday moves New Mexico State to 10-8 this season. The team will have a quick turnaround as the team's next game pits them against BYU on Tuesday, March 14 at 6 p.m. MT in Provo, Utah.