STARKVILLE, Miss. – New Mexico State closed out a midweek series with Mississippi State on Wednesday evening. The Aggie bats were held to just three hits and got taken down by the Bulldogs to a final score of 6-0.
 
The Aggies started off with a runner on the bases when Joey Ortiz reached on an errant throw from the Mississippi State (9-5) third-baseman. Despite getting into scoring position on a wild pitch with Logan Ehnes at-bat, NM State wasn't able to send Ortiz home.
 
NM State (8-6) starter Alex Pinedo started things off with well, retiring the first five batters he saw before giving up a single to the third batter in the bottom of the second.
 
MSU threated in the bottom of the third, putting runners on first and third with two outs but Pinedo was able to get himself out of the jam with a three-pitch strikeout. After giving up a lead-off hit in the fourth frame, the southpaw struck out the side and sent seven-straight Mississippi State batters down in order giving up a hit in the bottom half of the sixth.
 
The sixth inning was NM State's eventual downfall after spotting the home team six runs – four of which came via a grand slam. After walking in the first run of the game, Pinedo was relieved by Alvaro Castillo – who gave up the grand slam on his first pitch to Rowdey Jordan.
 
NM State didn't go down without a fight, putting a runner on-base in each of the next three innings, but the Aggie bats were held at bay by the Bulldogs pitching staff – who combined to give up just three hits while striking out 10.
 
Pinedo was dinged with the loss, hurling 5.2 innings with six punch outs and two walks while giving up four unearned runs.
 
NM State continues its SEC road swing and now heads to Tuscaloosa for a three-game series with Alabama beginning on Friday, March 9, on the SEC Network+ channel.