The Basics 
Game One 
Score: UIC 8, NM State 3 (10 Innings) 
Records: UIC (1-0); NM State (0-1) 
Location: Las Cruces, N.M. (Presley Askew Field) 
 
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Despite a ninth-inning rally and a flair for the dramatic, the NM State baseball team fell in extra innings to UIC on opening day. Trailing by two in the bottom of the ninth, the Aggies put together a two-run rally and gave the Presley Askew Field faithful some free baseball. 
 
In the first inning, Aggies starting pitcher Rorik Maltrud sent the Flames down in order. Much the same, the Aggies went down quietly in their half of the first, striking out twice. 
 
UIC jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the second inning after four consecutive batters reached to start the inning. With two away, the Flames shot a ground ball back through the middle to score a pair. 
 
NM State got a run back in the bottom of the second when Ryan Grabosch singled to center field, scoring Kevin Jimenez for the first Aggie run of the season.  
 
In the sixth inning, the Aggies threatened to cut into the deficit but came up short. With two outs, Brandon Dieter and Grabosch were both in scoring position for the Aggies but a strikeout allowed the Flames to extinguish the threat. 
 
After a solid start from Maltrud, junior Cam Blazek put together a stellar outing in relief for the Aggies. In 3.0 innings of work, Blazek fanned six hitters while allowing just one hit. Entering in the sixth inning, Blazek struck out the side before striking out three more UIC hitters along the way. 
 
Down to their final chances, the Aggies were down two and had their backs against the wall. After opening the inning with a groundout, Preston Godfrey ripped a one-out double. Godfrey then scored on a throwing error by the catcher following a wild pitch. After Grabosch drew a four-pitch walk, Kyle Westfall came in as a pinch-runner. Cal Villareal entered the game as a pinch-hitter and immediately made an impact, ripping an RBI double to tie the game. After another walk, the Aggies bounced into a double play and went to extra innings.  
 
With all of the momentum seemingly in the Aggies favor, the Flames quickly swung the energy right back. To lead off the tenth, six straight UIC batters reached. When the dust settled, UIC had mounted a five-run lead, backed by a bases clearing three-RBI double.  
 
In the bottom half of the tenth, NM State needed another opening day miracle. Unfortunately, the magical ninth inning did not carry over to the 10th and the Aggies only managed to get one base runner aboard – Jimenez via a walk.  
 
After falling in extra innings on opening day, the Aggies will look to bounce back against the Flames at 2 p.m. on Saturday. All of the action from Presley Askew Field can be found on the WAC Digital Network or 91.5 FM KRUX. 

Quick Hits 

• Ryan Grabosch was the lone Aggie to tally multiple hits in the ballgame.
• NM State pitchers combined to fan 15 UIC hitters. Rorik Maltrud led the way with seven strikeouts but Cam Blazek was right behind him with six. 
• Brandon Dieter drew three of the five walks for NM State in the ballgame.
• Following Friday's loss, NM State has lost their season opener for the second straight season.
• Through 8.0 combined innings, Maltrud and Blazek allowed just two walks to UIC hitters.

On-Deck 
Game Two
UIC at NM State
Saturday, Feb. 19 | 2:00 p.m. | Presley Askew Field | Las Cruces N.M.
Watch | Listen Live | Live Stats | Tickets | Weather Forecast | NM State Game Notes
Pitching Matchup | LHP Sammy Natera (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. RHP Tyler Ingram (0-0, 0.00 ERA) 
 
For complete coverage of NM State baseball throughout the Aggies 2022 campaign on Friday, Feb. 18, visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Baseball), Twitter (@NMStateBaseball) and Instagram (@NMStateBaseball).