SEATTLE - For the third time in as many games only one run separated victory from defeat and for the second time in the series NM State found itself on the wrong end of the scoreboard as the Aggies suffered a 4-3 loss at the hands of Seattle U Saturday at Bannerwood Park.
NM State (10-9, 8-3 WAC) will have to settle for a split at best in its third Western Athletic Conference (WAC) series of the 2021 campaign.
SCORING PLAYS
B2 | After a run-of-the-mill first inning, Laukkanen ran into a bit of trouble in the second. Seattle U generated hits on each of its first four at-bats in the frame, tagging the Aggies' starter for two of the three runs the hosts conjured in the frame through that flurry. A sacrifice fly off the bat of nine-hole hitter Kyle Sherick hikes the hosts' lead to 3-0 before a pair of strikeouts by Laukkanen ended the frame.
T3 | Despite just coming up with a pair of hits in the third, the Aggies were able to even things up. Cal Villareal reached on a hit-by-pitch, Zerek Saenz legged out an infield single and Kevin Jimenez drew a two-out walk which set up Ethan Mann. NM State's first baseman roped a 1-2 offering from Seattle U starter Kohl Petersen down the line in left for a three-run double that knotted matters at 3-3.
B5 | A wild pitch allowed the Redhawks to retake the lead. Though Rorik Maltrud fanned Justin Mazzone on six pitches, his final offering to strike out Seattle U's backstop bounced away from Ronnie Allen Jr., behind the plate, allowing Connor O'Brien to score to make matters 4-3. O'Brien reached on a five-pitch walk to start the frame.
AT THE DISH
• NM State couldn't get much going against the Redhawks' pitching staff, generating just three hits in the setback. Mann's three-run double kept the visitors in it and he reached base a team-high three times. The first baseman registered a hit and drew two of the Aggies' five walks.
• Matt Boissoneualt and Drake Maningo helped the hosts take a 2-1 lead in the series as they each went 2-for-4. Boissoneault generated Seattle U's lone extra-base hit in the game - a double.
ON THE HILL
• Laukkanen (1-4) found himself on the wrong end of the decision despite keeping the Aggies in it all afternoon. The right-handed Canadian surrendered four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five in four innings.
• Maltrud took over for the final four innings. The reigning Southland Conference Pitcher of the Week struck out a pair and let up just two hits in his Saturday afternoon outing.
• Nestor German came out of the bullpen to pick up the win for Seattle U. He threw 3 1/3 innings of shutout baseball, striking out a pair while giving up just a pair of walks.
COMING UP NEXT
• The Aggies and Redhawks conclude their four-game set Sunday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. MT. NM State will go for the series split once first pitch crosses home plate.
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