LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State baseball team closed out a four-game weekend series against Maine on Sunday at Presley Askew Field. Combining for five scoring innings, including three multi-run frames, the Aggies swept the series with an 8-5 win in the finale.
 
Following a low-scoring contest considering the weather, head coach Brian Green commented, "I told our pitchers that what they did was beyond impressive, limiting the walks and only allowing single-scoring innings. This is the best defense we've had since I've been here and that is really changing things for us."
 
Howling winds throughout the game allowed for some routine fly balls to turn into much more as NM State (13-8) southpaw Jonathan Groff took on 6-5 right-hander Chris Murphy of Maine (4-17).
 
The strong gusts of wind had an immediate impact in the game as the Black Bears saw a fly ball carry over the right field wall in the top of the first to open the scoring. Groff allowed Maine to load the bases with two outs in the frame, but escaped the jame getting the final batter to strike out looking and hold the Aggies deficit at just 1-0 through the first half inning.  
 
In the bottom of the first, NM State was able to answer when Tristen Carranza laced a two-out single off the pitcher's leg that ricocheted into the outfield and scored Mason Fishback all the way from second base to tie the game up. With runners on the corners, Trey Stine roped a single up the middle to bring another runner home and give NM State a 2-1 lead through one.
 
Following a scoreless second from both sides, the Black Bears again used the thirty-plus mile per hour winds to their advantage. With one out in the third, Danny Casals knocked a high fly ball into left field and used the extra push to get over the wall for a solo homer as Maine tied the game up at two apiece.
 
This tie was quickly erased by NM State in the bottom half of the third. With two outs in the frame, a walk loaded the bases for the Aggies. David Bellamy then stepped to the plate and knocked a single to centerfield that scored two and gave the Crimson & White a 4-2 advantage.
 
Noah Haupt added to this lead with a lead-off solo home run in the fourth to put the Aggies up 5-2. Then in the top of the fifth, the Black Bears got runners on first and third with no outs. An infield grounder was turned into a 4-6-3 double play, which plated one run and put the score at 5-3 in favor of NM State.
 
The bottom of the sixth saw Noah Haupt add to his home run total. With one runner on and one out the slugger crushed a ball deep over the right field wall to expand the Aggies lead to 7-3. The third and final homer for NM State came just one inning later when Logan Ehnes led off the bottom of the seventh with a solo home run for an 8-3 edge.
 
The opposition looked to close the gap when three straight walks loaded the bases with no outs in the eighth. A sacrifice fly to left field brought home one run but the Aggies escaped the scare to close the inning. Then in the ninth, Maine led off with a solo homer to make the Aggies lead 8-5, but the defense settled down and closed out the frame to secure the victory and series sweep.
 
Groff earned his fourth win of the season after tossing 6.0 innings with seven strikeouts. Haupt finished the day with two home runs and three RBI to lead the team at the plate.
 
New Mexico State now gets set to travel to Tucson, Ariz. for the second matchup of the season with Arizona on Tuesday, March 20 at 7 p.m. MT on Hi Corbett Field.