LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After sweeping a weekend series with Stephen F. Austin, the NM State baseball team looks to continue its winning ways against in-state rival New Mexico. The Aggies took the first meeting this season between the two squads, winning 2-0 in Albuquerque.
The two teams have met 256 times before with the Lobos holding a 164-92 advantage in the series.
Will Sierra is set to make his first start as an Aggie in the Tuesday night clash. In ten relief appearances this season, the Washington State transfer has worked 12.2 innings to the tune of a 5.68 ERA. In two outings versus Stephen F. Austin, Sierra twirled 3.1 innings of one-run baseball, allowing just two hits and punching out four.
| Game Information |
| Game Time |
6:00 p.m. |
| Tickets |
Tuesday |
| TV/Streaming |
ESPN+
Bally Sports Arizona (Tape Delay)
Comcast New Mexico |
| Stats |
NMStateStats.com |
| Probable Pitchers |
| RHP Darius Garcia (1-0, 5.68 ERA) |
Tuesday |
LHP Jaren Jackson (1-0, 8.65 ERA) |
News and Notes
HOW SWEEP IT IS
With a weekend sweep over Stephen F. Austin, the defending WAC Champions are red-hot once again. The sweep marked the first for NM State since February 24-27, 2022 over Oakland. When looking for a conference sweep, the Aggies had not done so since March 17-19 when NM State took all four games from Northern Colorado.
WINNING STREAK
With four consecutive wins in WAC play, NM State is riding what is the conference's longest winning streak in league games.
WALK IT OFF
After the Aggies had not ended a game with a walk-off in over a year,
Damone Hale and
Preston Godfrey ended back-to-back games against Stephen F. Austin with a walk-off. On Friday, a three-run error after a fly ball by Hale ended the ballgame in run-rule fashion before giving way to Godfrey's two-run walk-off home run in the ninth inning on Saturday.
COULDNíT KEEP WITH JONES
Over the three game series versus Stephen F. Austin,
Keith Jones II had nine hits, including three three-hit games, seven runs scored, two doubles, two home runs, two stolen bases, four walks, and just two strikeouts. Nonetheless, Jones II was somehow not named the WAC Hitter of the Week.
KRUSH IT KEV
With seven home runs this season,
Kevin Jimenez has set a new career-high in long balls. The senior second baseman leads NM State in hits (36), runs batted in (24), doubles (6), home runs (7), and total bases (63).
RUN IT UP
With 39 runs scored against Stephen F. Austin, NM State set a new season-high with runs scored in a series. NM State has also scored 10+ runs in three consecutive games for the first time since March. 5, 6, and 11, 2022 against Prairie View A&M and Seattle U.
PEN PALS
Out of the bullpen,
Matthew Maloney and
Noah Estrella have been a dynamic duo as of late. Over his last eight appearances, totaling 42.1 innings, Maloney has allowed just one earned run. Against California Baptist, Maloney pitched 5.2 shutout innings, allowing just one hit.
KEITH ZUNIGAíS 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.
LIVE FROM LAS CRUCES
Including Tuesday's game, seven of NM State's last eight games have been from the comfort of Presley Askew Field.
SIXTH INNING SPECIAL
When leading after six innings, the Aggies are 9-0 on the season. On the contrary, NM State is 0-22 when tied or trailing after the sixth.
SCOUTING THE LOBOS
After a bye week, New Mexico enters the Rio Grande Rivalry looking for revenge. The Lobos rank in the top ten nationally in batting average (2nd, .333), triples (8th, 16), triples per game (6th, 0.52).
New Mexico also ranks eleventh in the nation in scoring, averaging 9.0 runs per game.
