LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State Aggies baseball team played host to the No. 6 Texas Tech Red Raiders on Tuesday afternoon at Presley Askew Field. After falling behind early, the team could not dig themselves out of the hole against the nationally ranked opponent and fell 15-4.
 
How it happened
Aggie right-hander Chris Kucko got the midweek start versus the Red Raiders Caleb Kilian. The opponent's bats came to life early scoring six runs in the top half of the first.
 
Looking to respond in the bottom of the opening inning, Joey Ortiz got across the plate for the Aggies first run of the game on a triple to left field by Dan Hetzel.
 
Texas Tech added two more in the third, but the Aggies were able to get one back in their half of the inning after a single through the left side by Tristen Carranza scored Austin Botello.
 
Between the fifth and sixth innings, the opposition added to their lead with four runners crossing the plate to go up 12-2. The Aggies tried to cut into the deficit by putting up a pair of runs in the bottom half of the sixth and seventh innings, but another three on the board for the Red Raiders in the eighth was too much for the team and they fell 15-4.
 
Chance Hroch and Keaton Graf threw a pair of scoreless innings and Graf led all Aggie pitchers with three strikeouts. At the plate the team had 12 hits which featured Aggies with multiple base knocks, Joey Ortiz led the way going 4-for-5 with two singles, one double and a triple.
 
Kucko (0-1) was charged with the loss and TTU's Kilian (1-0) picked up the win.
 
The loss moves New Mexico State to 17-13 on the year. The team looks to hold their unblemished Western Athletic Conference record (3-0) as they host the UT Rio Grande Valley Vaqueros (18-14, 2-4) for a three-game weekend series, April 7-9.
 
First pitch for Friday's contest is set for 6 p.m. MT. The opening game is broadcast on the WAC Digital Network and can be heard 91.5 FM KRUX with Adam Young on the call.