PHOENIX, Ariz. – Fans of NM State and Grand Canyon were treated to an incredible pitchers duel on Friday night. Unfortunately for the Aggie faithful in Phoenix, the Lopes struck for four runs in the eighth inning to down NM State 6-1.
 
Treyjen Meza threw a phenomenal game for NM State, despite receiving the loss. Meza allowed just two runs over 6.0 innings of work, striking out six along the way. Meza matched career lows in both hits allowed and runs allowed on Friday night.
 
In the second inning, Jason Buckley homered to open the scoring and put the Lopes up 1-0. Two innings later, GCU pushed a second run across with a sacrifice fly to center field. From there, the score would remain 2-0 in favor of GCU until the eighth.
 
When Meza gave way to Aaron Treloar, NM State was down 2-0. In the seventh inning, Treloar worked a spotless frame, striking out Homer Bush Jr. to end the Lopes half.  
 
After GCU turned to the bullpen, things got started quickly for the Aggies. Christian Perez singled on the first pitch thrown by a Lopes reliever. From there, Edwin Martinez-Pagani singled, moving Perez to third. With two on and two away, Kevin Jimenez broke up GCU's shutout bid with a single through the right side.
 
In the bottom of the eighth inning, the Lopes exploded for four runs, busting the game open before NM State's final at-bats. With its back against the wall, the Aggies went down in order in the ninth, falling to 0-1 in conference play.
 
Quick Hits
·      Kevin Jimenez once again had three hits in the contest – His third three-hit game of the season.
·      Jimenez also drove in the lone run of the night for NM State with a single in the eighth inning.
·      Starting pitcher Treyjen Meza matched career-lows in both hits allowed and runs allowed.
·      On Friday night, NM State hitters struck out 16 times.
·      NM State falls to 0-11 on the season and 0-1 in conference play.
·      Edwin Martinez-Pagani put together a highlight reel play in the sixth inning. After a pop up on a sacrifice bunt attempt, Martinez-Pagani made a diving catch before firing to second back for the double play.
·      Tyler Hoeft will start on Saturday for the Aggies as they once again take on Grand Canyon beginning at 6:00 p.m. MT.