LAS CRUCES, N.M. – With a midweek tilt against Arizona on the horizon, the Aggies look to ride the momentum of a 15-hit performance on Saturday. Tuesday marks the 68th all-time meeting between the Aggies and Wildcats with Arizona holding a significant lead in the series.
NM State will turn to
Tyler Hoeft on Tuesday as the right-handed makes his sixth start of the season. In 20.0 innings of work, Hoeft has posted a 9.45 ERA with 18 strikeouts. Hoeft will battle RHP Cam Walty, a transfer from Nevada, who has posted a 10.57 ERA over four appearances this season.
| Probable Pitchers |
| RHP Tyler Hoeft (0-4, 9.45 ERA) |
Tuesday |
RHP Cam Walty (0-0, 10.57 ERA) |
News and Notes
NM State is 8-59 all-time against Arizona with the last win coming in Tucson on April 30, 2019. The Aggies outlasted the Wildcats 15-13 in a slugfest, getting four RBI from now Orioles top prospect Joey Ortiz.
Last season, NM State was tied with No. 20 Arizona in Tucson in the eighth inning following a two-run triple from
Preston Godfrey. The Wildcats used a two-run single in the bottom of the eight to take a 4-2 lead, which would hold through the ninth for the win.
KRUSH IT KEV
With six home runs this season,
Kevin Jimenez has set a new career-high in long balls. The senior second baseman leads NM State in batting average (.326), slugging percentage (.568), hits (31), runs (17), doubles (5), home runs (6), total bases (49), total bases (54), sacrifice flies (2), and games played (26).
INNINGS EATER
Heading into the weekend series, Friday night starter
Treyjen Meza is second in the WAC in innings pitched with 47.1, trailing Zach Thornton of Grand Canyon by just 0.2 innings.
PEN PALS
Out of the bullpen,
Matthew Maloney and
Noah Estrella have been a dynamic duo as of late. Over his last six appearances, totaling 12.0 innings, Maloney has not allowed a run. Against California Baptist, Maloney pitched 5.2 innings, allowing just one hit.
Throughout the season, Estrella has posted a 1.57 ERA in 12 appearances, including two against California Baptist.
KEITH ZUNIGA'S PUNCH-OUT!!
In the three-game set against California Baptist, Zuniga's pitching staff struck out 36 hitters, including a season-high 15 strikeouts on Thursday. The mark is the new high for a series this season, surpassing 31 punch-outs against Bellarmine on Opening Weekend.
TOPS IN THE CLASS
Arizona leds the nation in doubles per game, averaging 2.79 two-baggers. The Wildcats also sit in the top-ten nationally in doubles (4th; 81), triples (6th; 15), triples per game (6th; 0.52).
Arizona's Mac Bingham leads the nation with six sacrifice flies, while Nik McClaughry ranks sixth in the country with five triples.
KEEP UP WITH THE JONESí
Against Ottawa (Ariz.),
Keith Jones II became the first Aggie to homer twice in an inning since Tristan Peterson did so against Texas Southern on February 17, 2019. Jones II currently leads the Aggies in hitting streaks (10) and on-base streaks (16).
LIVE FROM LAS CRUCES
Following the midweek tilt in Tucson, the next four games for NM State will be at home, beginning with the weekend series against Stephen F. Austin for a trio. The home stand wrap ups with a midweek game against in-state rival New Mexico.
SIXTH INNING SPECIAL
When leading after six innings, the Aggies are 6-0 on the season. On the contrary, NM State is 0-21 when tied or trailing after the sixth.
LOOKING AHEAD
Following Arizona's midweek game against the Aggies, the Wildcats will travel to Pullman, Wash. to face former NM State head coach Brian Green and Pac-12 foe Washington State.
