LAS CRUCES, N.M. – After a back-and-forth series with Portland, NM State will hit the road for its second five-game road stretch of the season and will open up with a midweek game at UNC Greensboro on Wednesday afternoon. First pitch for the Aggies' matchup against the Spartans is slated for 2 p.m. MDT.
 
Wednesday's game will mark the first-ever meeting between the to programs. This will mark the first of two games that the Aggies will play at UNC Greensboro as they are scheduled to return to Greensboro on Tuesday, March 25, following a three-game series against Liberty in Lynchburg, Va. The trip to UNC Greensboro will cover approximately 1,500 miles as the crow flies - serving as the Aggies' second longest road trip of the season, only behind a trip to Miami next month.
 
While there will not be a stream or radio feed for Wednesday's contest, Aggie fans can follow along with live stats via NMStateStats.com.
 
SERIES INFO
NM State (10-10, 0-0 CUSA) at UNC Greensboro (10-9, 0-0 SoCon)
UNCG Baseball Stadium
Greensboro, N.C.
 
Tuesday, March 19 – 2 p.m. MDT
Live Stats: StatBroadcast
 
LAST TIME OUT              
NM State returned to Presley Askew Field to host a Portland team that entered the weekend on a six-game losing streak. In the series opener, a pair of second-inning home runs from Sheehan O'Connor and Joey Craig helped propel the Aggies to a commanding 12-5 victory.
 
The Pilots punched back on Saturday as they defeated the Aggies 18-8 in run-rule fashion to mark the Aggies' third run-rule loss of the season.
 
With the series on the line on Sunday, the Aggies found themselves down 5-0 entering the bottom half of the second. However, the Aggie offense exploded for seven runs in the second inning to setup a thriller down the stretch. Following a game-tying run in the top of the ninth, Austin Corbett drove home Boston Vest to help the Aggies claim an 11-10 walk-off win.
 
SLINGIN' SAUL                 
In the Aggies' win over Portland on Sunday, March 16, relief pitcher Saul Soto tossed a career high 5.0 innings to help lift the Aggies to victory. Soto was credited with the win for his efforts and tallied four strikeouts to mark his third consecutive outing with at least three strikeouts. Thus far, Soto has a record of 3-0 and is tied with starter Jack Turner in wins.
 
This season, NM State is a perfect 6-0 in games that Soto appears in. On the year, Soto has pitched 18.0 innings and allowed just 13 hits and four runs while tallying 17 strikeouts.
 
DOUBLE THE FUN        
Aggie outfielder Mitch Namie tallied a double in each of the Aggies' last four games and five the last six games. This brings his total to nine on the season which represents the most on the team and ranks 32nd in the nation and second among Conference USA hitters.
 
Led by Namie and Steve Solorzano who ranks second and third in the conference in total doubles, respectively, the Aggies have been one of the best teams in the country at hitting doubles. Currently, NM State ranks 15th among Division I teams and second in the conference in total doubles with 47.
 
TURN TWO       
With 21 games down, the Aggie infield has been one of the best teams in the nation at turning double plays. With three double plays against Portland, NM State now has 19 double plays on the season which ranks 12th in the country and third among CUSA teams.
 
T-TIME                 
In the weekend series against Portland, the Aggies received strong contributions from first-year Aggie Tommy Meluskey. The Oregon transfer has now started each of the team's last six games and played a big role in clinching the series win versus Portland. Against the Pilots, Meluskey paced the Aggies in batting average (.556), home runs (2) and RBIs (7) while ending the weekend tied for the team lead in hits (5).
 
CAMPBELL DEBUT       
Last weekend, Aggie fans got their first look at Modesto Junior College transfer Bryce Campbell who earned the start at designated hitter in all three games against Portland. In the series, Campbell logged five hits, a pair of doubles and three RBIs. This included a three-hit day that helped propel the Aggies to an 11-10 victory on Sunday.
 
STELLAR STEVE             
On the year, sophomore Steve Solorzano has been the Aggie that has been the most consistent in his ability to get on base. Entering Wednesday, he is maintaining a .522 on-base percentage which ranks first among all hitters in Conference USA.
 
AGGIES > AGGIES          
On Sunday, March 9, NM State claimed a 4-1 victory over No. 14 Texas A&M to secure the program's first win over an opponent ranked in the top-25 of the NCAA's primary ranking system since 2012 when they knocked off No. 5 Arizona.
 
The win was also the Aggies' first win over Texas A&M in nine tries and represented NM State's second win over a team in the SEC at the time of the contest. Interestingly, the Aggies' first-ever win over an SEC opponent also came on March 9, when they defeated Alabama 3-0 in 2018.
 
TRENDING UP
After finishing No. 297 in RPI in 2023, the Aggies jumped to No. 138 at the conclusion of the 2024 season to mark the largest RPI increase in the nation.
 
SAY HIS NAMIE                                 
Entering the 2024 campaign, returner Mitch Namie was slated to be one of the Aggies' key contributors once again after appearing in 50 of the Aggies' 54 games and making 49 starts during his sophomore season. The Mesa, Ariz., serves as the leading returner in batting average (.333), at-bats (183), runs (50), hits (61), doubles (13), triples (2), home runs (5), RBIs (35) and walks (31).
 
Through the Aggies' first 21 games, Namie's offensive power has been on full display as he has recorded a hit in all but one game this season, including posting a hit in each of the Aggies' first 15 games.
 
FRESHMAN ARMS         
The Aggies have leaned on their young arms this season and with an appearance from Chris Daniels last Tuesday, all eight of the Aggies' freshmen pitchers have now appeared in at least one game this season.
 
In total, the Aggie freshmen, which make up eight of the team's 19 pitchers, have combined to throw 61.1 innings and have given up just 48 earned runs while combining for 55 strikeouts.
 
This has been bolstered by Sunday starter Matthew Yarc who has tossed 19.0 innings and has 13 strikeouts. Yarc is one of three freshmen pitchers with 10 or more strikeouts as both Dylan Weekly and Carson Timmons each have exactly 10 strikeouts.
 
UP NEXT             
Following the Aggies' midweek matchup against UNC Greensboro, the Aggies will travel to Lynchburg, Va., for their first CUSA series of the season. There, they will take on Liberty beginning with a Friday bout that is scheduled to begin on Friday at 2 p.m. MDT.
 
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