EUGENE, Ore. - NM State used some early miscues by 19th-ranked Oregon to open up its first lead of the series, but the Ducks responded by scoring eight unanswered runs in the third through fifth innings to secure an 8-2 non-conference victory Friday evening at PK Park.

SCORING PLAYS
T1 | Two of the Ducks' three errors allowed the Aggies to take their first lead of the series. Zerek Saenz started the game with a single and moved to second on a miscue by Oregon's first baseman. After racing to third on a groundout, the sophomore scampered home on an error out in right field, handing the visitors a 1-0 lead.
T3 | Saenz played a part in helping the Aggies double their lead. A one-out single up the middle by the Las Cruces, N.M., product was followed up with a single by Brandon Dieter which placed runners on the corners. Kevin Jimenez did the rest, laying down a perfect sacrifice bunt which let Saenz race home and extend the Aggies' edge to 2-0.
B3 | Much like what occurred in the series opener, the Ducks got on the board - and took the lead - in the home half of the third. NM State starter got the first out of the inning, but a walk and a single put runners at the corners to start the nationally-ranked squad's rally. Anthony Hall busted up the Aggies' shutout try by lacing an RBI double to right before Kenyon Yovan handed the hosts the lead for good with a two-run single to center which made matters 3-2.
B4 | Again Jefferson was able to retire the first batter he faced in the inning, and for the second time the Ducks responded shortly thereafter. A walk and a single put two men on for second baseman Gavin Grant who punched an 0-1 offering from Jefferson to deep left for a two-run double. Leadoff man Tanner Smith wrapped up the Ducks' second-straight three-run frame with an RBI groundout to put NM State at a 6-2 disadvantage.
B5 | Gabe Matthews struck for another extra-base hit - this one of the round-trip variety - to continue padding the Ducks' lead. The first baseman turned on a 1-0 pitch from Jefferson and launched it out of PK Park. That two-run shot pushed Oregon's lead to 8-2.

AT THE DISH
• The top of the Aggies' order produced the most punch of their five-hit attack. Saenz and Dieter each went 2-for-4 while the former scored both of the visitors' runs.
• Hall and Josh Kasevich each struck for a pair of hits to lead the Ducks' eight-hit night.
• Grant and Yovan each pushed two runs home while the former was plated twice. Three of the Ducks' eight base knocks went for extra bases.

ON THE HILL
• Jefferson (4-2) was knocked around for all eight runs on eight hits, three walks and a hit-by-pitch in five innings of work.
• Brendon Rodriguez came on in relief of Jefferson in the sixth and fired three frames of scoreless baseball. Rodriguez also finished with all three of the Aggies' strikeouts on the night.
• Both of the runs Oregon starter Robert Ahlstrom (2-2) surrendered in his six innings of work were unearned. He leveled his 2021 record by amassing six of the Ducks' 10 punch outs and letting up three of the five NM State hits.

COMING UP NEXT
• NM State and #19 Oregon will conclude their four-game series Saturday from PK Park with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. MT. Sophomore right-hander Rorik Maltrud will get the ball for the Aggies in game one while Canadian righty Josh Laukkanen will start on the hill for NM State in game two.

++NM State++