LAS CRUCES, N.M. – For the third time this season, NM State and New Mexico will meet on the diamond in the Battle of I-25. Thus far, both teams have won a game with the Aggies winning 2-0 in Albuquerque on March 21. First pitch from Santa Ana Start Field is slated for 6:00 p.m. MT and all of the action will air for free on the Mountain West Network.
NM State will turn back to Albuquerque native
Darius Garcia on Tuesday night in his hometown. Garcia got the nod when the Aggies downed the Lobos as the left hander worked 5.2 innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits.
SCOUTING THE LOBOS
New Mexico has been one of the top hitting teams across college baseball this season. The Lobos remain second nationally in batting average (.337) and fifth in slugging percentage (.569).
LAST MEETINGS
The in-state rivals have split the two games this season with the Aggies winning in Albuquerque and the Lobos winning in Las Cruces. Tuesday's meeting with be the third between the two squads and the second in Albuquerque.
KRUSH IT KEV
With eight home runs this season,
Kevin Jimenez has set a new career-high in long balls. The senior second baseman leads NM State in hits (45), runs batted in (32), home runs (8), and total bases (77).
FOR THE RECORD...
Infielder
Kevin Jimenez sits inside or near the top-ten in NM State school history for many offensive categories. With 53 career doubles, Jimenez needs just eight this season to become NM State's all-time two-bag leader.
WALK IT OUT
Kevin Jimenez has drawn 127 career walks - The third most in NM State history. Jimenez passed Chris Fanning (1988-91) on April 8 vs. California Baptist.
Jimenez sits 15 walks behind Richard Stout (2007-09; 142) to move into a tie for second place.
HIGH SCORING AFFAIRS
In the final two games of the weekend series, NM State and Sacramento State combined for 56 total runs. In Saturday's contest, the Aggies put together three touchdowns to beat down three field goals from the Hornets in a 21-9 ballgame. Sacramento State flipped the script on Sunday, winning 16-10.
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.
SIXTH INNING SPECIAL
When leading after six innings, the Aggies are 11-1 on the season. On the contrary, NM State is 0-27 when tied or trailing after the sixth.
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