LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State baseball team took on Western Athletic Conference foe Seattle U in game two of a three-game series on Saturday at Presley Askew Field. Despite mustering a three-run rally in the ninth inning, the Aggies fell just short in a 5-4 loss to the Redhawks.
 
Game two of the series saw Justin Dehn take the mound for NM State (14-10, 1-1 WAC) opposite the southpaw Tarik Skubal for Seattle U (13-8, 1-1 WAC). Each team stranded runners in the first frame with the Redhawks leaving a pair on and then the Aggies threatening with the bases loaded but failing to convert.
 
Seattle then led off the top of the second with a solo home run for the first notch on the scoreboard in Saturday's contest. Following a walk to put runners on first and second with two outs, the Redhawks saw a single up the middle bring in another run as the Aggies trailed 2-0 through two.
 
NM State's deficit grew in the third inning when Seattle had a runner on third with two outs. The next batter was plunked and took a free walk to first before a single to left field brought in the man from third for a 3-0 Redhawk advantage.
 
In the bottom half of the third, Noah Haupt led off with a single to center field and proceeded to steal second base a few pitches later. A ground out advanced Haupt and he stood just 90 feet from home plate. The Redhawk pitcher was charged with a balk during the next at-bat and Haupt crossed the plate for the Aggies first run of the game.
 
Each offense stayed quiet over the next three innings keeping the Aggies down 3-1. Then in the top of the seventh, the Redhawks added to the board with a two-run home run down the left field line just inside the foul pole and NM State trailed 5-1.
 
The bullpens kept the bats quiet moving into the bottom of the ninth with the Aggies trialing by four. Haupt led off the frame with a walk and Mason Fishback followed with a single to left to put a pair of runners on with no outs. A fielder's choice put the runners on the corners for the first out of the ninth.
 
Trey Stine then stepped to the dish and knocked an RBI double to right center to get the rally going. Logan Ehnes took the next at-bat and singled up the middle to score another run that put the Aggies deficit at 5-3. Another situation with runners on first and third saw Caleb Henderson lace a single up the middle and bring a man home as the Aggies trailed by just one run. Looking to capitalize on the momentum the Aggies brought in a pinch hitter with two outs, but an infield groundout brought an end to the rally and NM State fell to Seattle U, 5-4.
 
This loss has the series knotted at 1-1 between the Aggies and Redhawks. The series deciding finale between New Mexico State and Seattle U is set for Sunday, March 25, with first pitch slated for 12:05 p.m. MT.