The Basics 

Game Two 

Score: UIC 3, NM State 6 

Records: UIC (1-1); NM State (1-1) 

Location: Las Cruces, N.M. (Presley Askew Field) 

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Sammy Natera and Pablo Cortes combined to strikeout 19 UIC hitters en route to a 6-3 win for NM State baseball on Saturday.  With Natera striking out 14 on his own, the combo of pitchers came up just one strikeout shy of a pair of NM State single-game records.  

Through four innings, both pitchers were absolutely battling. Over the course of four innings, Natera allowed just one hit – a double to right-center in the third inning.  

Logan Gallina got the Aggies on the board with a solo shot to right field in the fifth inning – His first as an Aggie.  
 

The score remained 1-0 into the eighth inning. UIC starter Tyler Ingram allowed just three hits through 6.0 innings of work. In the seventh, Ingram gave way to Joey Morris, who immediately picked off an Aggie baserunner.  

In the eighth, the NM State offense exploded for five runs. After a flyout opened the frame, Ryan Grabosch singled through the left side to spark the offense. Back-to-back RBI doubles from Gunner Antillon and Brandon pushed the Aggie lead to three. Zerek Saenz and Kevin Jimenez drew back-to-back walks to load the bases before Preston Godfrey drove in a run with a groundout.  

Following the ground out, Gallina once again picked up a huge knock. This time, the sophomore from California drove in a pair to put the Aggies up by six. Cal Villareal picked up his second hit of the day with a single to center before the Flames went to the bullpen and ended the inning.  
 

Using a flurry of pinch-hitters and plate discipline, the Flames put together a three-run ninth inning. The Flames needed just one hit – a three-run double – the half the Aggie lead. Cortes recorded back-to-back punchouts to end the game and give NM State its first win of the season.  

Quick Hits 

• Sammy Natera struck out fourteen Flames on Saturday, falling just one strikeout shy of the NM State single-game record (15; Mitch Seals vs. Southern Illinois; March 22, 1969).
• Natera and Pablo Cortes struck out nineteen UIC hitters, once again falling just one shy of the NM State record (20 vs. Houston Baptist; May 1, 2009).
• Natera allowed just two hits throughout 7.0 innings of work, striking out 14 along the way.
• Logan Gallina's home run in the fourth inning was the first Aggie long ball of the season.
• Gallina tallied three hits in the ballgame – The first Aggie to record 3+ hits in a game this season.
• Cal Villareal and Gallina combined for five hits in the ballgame.

On-Deck 

Game Three
UIC at NM State
Sunday, Feb. 20 | 11:00 a.m. | Presley Askew Field | Las Cruces, N.M.
Watch | Listen Live | Live Stats | Tickets | Weather Forecast | NM State Game Notes
Pitching Matchup | RHP Ian Mejia (0-0, 0.00 ERA) vs. LHP Sam Menegat (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). 

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