SPOKANE, Wash. – The New Mexico State baseball team opened a three-game weekend series out of conference against Gonzaga at Patterson Baseball Complex on Friday night. The Aggies held a one-run lead into the seventh before a two-run home run for the Bulldogs proved to be the winner with the Crimson & White falling 2-1.
NM State (33-17) ace
Kyle Bradish squared off on the mound against the 6-8 right-hander Daniel Bies for Gonzaga (25-20). In a true pitcher's duel on the night, the hurlers allowed a few baserunners over the first two innings but were able to hold the sides scoreless.
Then in the top of the third, the Aggies jumped on the board. With two outs in the frame,
Logan Bottrell knocked a double to left field to get into scoring position.
Trey Stine then reached base on catcher interference to keep the Aggies alive. In the next at-bat,
Caleb Henderson was able to lace a single just over the head of the shortstop that scored Bottrell for an early 1-0 lead.
Bradish continued to cruise over the next couple of innings to hold the Bulldogs scoreless. The fourth and fifth frames saw the junior fan five Zags to give him eight strikeouts through just five innings of work.
Gonzaga was finally able to put a crooked number up in the bottom of the seventh. With one out and one on, the Bulldogs saw a ball carry over the left field fence for a two-run homer that put the Crimson & White behind 2-1.
NM State looked to answer in the ninth when a throwing error by the Gonzaga catcher put
Nick Gonzales on second base with two outs.
Tristen Carranza then laced a single through the right side and Gonzales rounded third looking to cross home and tie the game up. That would not be, however, as the freshman was thrown out at home to end the game with the Aggies losing the opener, 2-1.
The low-scoring battle saw the Aggies register just four hits with zero walks. Bradish threw 6.0 innings, allowing just one run and striking out 10.
Game two of the weekend series between New Mexico State and Gonzaga is set for 7 p.m. MT at the Patterson Baseball Complex on Saturday, May 12.
