BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – The New Mexico State baseball team took on Western Athletic Conference opponent CSU Bakersfield in the weekend series finale on Sunday at Hardt Field. Early production from the Aggies saw five runs in the opening two innings lead the team to a 5-2 victory and series sweep of the Roadrunners.
 
NM State (19-13, 6-3 WAC) got going early at the plate jumping on the board in the first inning against CSU Bakersfield (10-20, 1-5 WAC) freshman pitcher Davonte Butler. The Aggies loaded the bases with just one out in the first frame, leading to an RBI single from Caleb Henderson to open the scoring.
 
With the bases still juiced, the Roadrunners walked a batter to bring in the second run of the inning for the Crimson & White. Nick Gonzales then floated a sacrifice fly to right field to bring home the final run of the first and give the Aggies a 3-0 lead before starter Alex Pinedo took over on the mound.
 
Following a quick one-two-three bottom of the first for Pinedo, the Aggie bats got back to work. A pair of singles to lead off the second put runners on the corners and a base on balls loaded the bags with just one out. Joey Ortiz then laid down a bunt on a play that saw a pair of errors bring home two runs and put NM State on top 5-0 through two.
 
A pair of scoreless innings held the Aggies five-run lead before the Roadrunners finally got on the board in the bottom of the fifth. With runners on the corners, a single to right field brought in one run. The 'Runners looked to add to the scoreboard but a double steal on a fly out got one of the runners thrown out at second base before he could get back to the bag to end the inning with the Aggies up 5-1.
 
CSUB was able to add a run in the eighth inning with a single down the left field line to score a man from second and put the Aggies lead at just 5-2. Then Brock Whittlesey was able to hold the 'Runners scoreless to close out the game and give NM State the 5-2 win and road series sweep.
 
Alex Pinedo (3-1) earned the win after allowing just two hits and one run through 5.0 innings pitched. Logan Bottrell led the Aggies at the plate going 3-for-5 with two runs scored.
 
New Mexico State now remains on the road for a midweek tilt with Battle of I-25 rival New Mexico on Tuesday, April 10, at 6:30 p.m. MT on Santa Ana Star Field. This is the first of three meetings this season between the Aggies and Lobos.