CHICAGO – The New Mexico State baseball team took on Western Athletic Conference challenger Chicago State in game two of the weekend series on Saturday. On a cold and windy day, the Aggie bats could not get going at the plate as the team fell to the Cougars, 7-3.
Chicago State (7-17, 2-3 WAC) struck first on the scoreboard to put NM State (19-7, 3-2 WAC) behind in the bottom of the second. A catcher's interference loaded the bases for the Cougars with zero outs. This saw a single to right field bring in the first run of the ballgame. The bases remained loaded for the next batter who saw an infield groundout bring home another run to put NM State behind 2-0 into the third.
In the top of the third inning, the Aggies were able to answer to cut into the Cougar Lead.
Kevin Jimenez led off the frame with a base on balls and then a sacrifice bunt put the runner in scoring position. With one out in the frame,
Logan Bottrell reached on a bunt single that saw a muffed throw score one runner and put the deficit for the Crimson & White at one run, 2-1.
Neither side was able to get on the board in the fourth, then in the top of the fifth inning the NM State offense got going to take the lead.
Braden Williams led off the frame with a single to left before stealing second base. Standing on second, Williams scored on an RBI double to the gap in left by Bottrell. This was followed by another double to the gap in left that scored another run to put the Aggies in front 3-2.
This lead for NM State only lasted one inning with CSU regaining the lead over the visitors in the bottom of the sixth. A hit by pitch and walk opened the inning to get two runners on. Then with one out, a single through the left side plated one run to tie the game up at three runs apiece. A fielder's choice and error on an attempted double play left the base loaded and a plunked batter scored the go-ahead run for the Cougars.
The bases remained loaded with only one out and NM State went to the bullpen. The reliever walked the first batter he faced to bring in another run for the opposition. This was followed by a single to centerfield that plated two more runs and put the Aggies behind 7-3 after six.
This deficit would remain for the final three innings as the Aggie bats could not rally up a comeback. CSU was able to close out the remaining frames, holding the Crimson & White scoreless as the Aggies dropped game two to the Cougars, 7-3.
With the series all knotted up at 1-1, the New Mexico State baseball team now looks for the series win in the finale on Sunday, March 31, at 11 a.m. MT against Chicago State.
