LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State baseball team (14-12) squared off against the Battle of I-25 rival University of New Mexico Lobos (16-9) on Tuesday night at Presley Askew Field. On a night where NM State threw 10 pitcher's to hold the UNM bats quiet, the Aggie offense just left a few too many runners on base as the team fell to UNM, 5-3.
 
How it happened
Chris Kucko (0-0) got the start for the Aggies as he squared off against the Lobos Austin Isenhart (3-1) on Tuesday night. The game opened up with little offense as the first two innings saw each team get held scoreless and put just one runner in scoring position.
 
In the bottom of the third, Austin Botello roped a two-out double to left field which brought home Joey Ortiz for the first run of the game. Dan Hetzel then knocked a double to center allowing Botello to cross the plate as NM State led 2-0 at the end of the inning.
 
The top half of the fourth saw the Lobos score their first run on a passed ball with no outs. After a pitching change, UNM then sent Andre Gregory up to bat and the shortstop struck a two-run home run over the wall to give the opponent a 3-2 lead.
 
NM State then came out and responded in the fourth when Mason Fishback scored from second base after Cooper Williams singled to left field with zero outs in the inning. This was the only run the Aggies would register as they tied the game up at three heading to the fifth.
 
After the opposition put the leading run up on the board in the fifth, the NM State bats could not muster up enough juice to add to its total. Over the final four innings the Lobos used four pitchers to stifle the Aggie offense, which held two men on base and the team reamined scoreless. UNM added another run to their total, leading the Aggies 5-3 through eight, as that score would stand as the final score.
 
The win on the night went to UNM reliever Cody Dye (1-0) and Chris Tripp picked up the save (4) while Aggie freshman Joseph Standley (1-1) was charged with the loss.
 
After the game, the Aggies led the Lobos in hits (9-7), but left seven runners on base when it was all said and done. Dan Hetzel and Fishback led the team with two hits apiece.
 
New Mexico State will now head back on the road as it travels to open Western Athletic Conference play against Seattle U. (8-15) in a three-game weekend series, March 31-April 2. First pitch for Friday's game is set for 6 p.m. MT with Adam Young will have the call for each game on 91.5 FM KRUX.