TUCSON, Ariz. – In a game that saw momentum swing back-and-forth, NM State's hot start would ultimately not be enough in an 11-9 loss at No. 24 Arizona on Tuesday night at Hi Corbett Field.
 
The Aggies (17-16, 5-4 CUSA) wasted no time setting the tone, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the top of the first inning. After Brandon Forrester drew a walk to start the game, Tommy Meluskey blasted a two-run home run to left field, giving the Aggies early momentum. NM State added two more runs in the inning with a string of base hits from Bryce Campbell, Sheehan O'Connor, and Boston Vest, capping a strong opening frame.
 
However, the lead was short-lived. Arizona answered with five runs of their own in the bottom half, capitalizing on a fielding error and a two-run long ball by Mason White to take a 5-4 edge.
 
The Aggies remained resilient and struck again in the third. Campbell and O'Connor set the table with back-to-back singles before Joey Craig delivered a clutch two-run double to left field to put NM State back in front, 8-6.
 
Despite their persistent offense, the Aggie bullpen couldn't hold back Arizona's firepower. White launched his second home run of the night as a three-run shot in the fourth inning flipped the score once again, giving the Wildcats a 9-8 advantage.
 
NM State continued to battle and, in the fifth, Aidan Lombardi doubled and came around to score on a single by Dane Woodcook in the ensuing at-bat, tying the game at 9-9.
 
But Arizona struck the final blow in the bottom of the eighth. With a runner aboard, Easton Breyfogle tripled down the first base line to break the tie, and a sacrifice fly brought in an insurance run to make it 11-9. The Aggies were held hitless in the final two frames as Arizona's bullpen shut the door.
 
NUMBERS OF NOTE

• NM State dropped to 7-8 away from Presley Askew Field this season.
• For the 20^th time this season, NM State logged double digits in total hits.
• Four different Aggies tallied two hits on Tuesday night, including Bryce Campbell who now has eight multi-hit games in just 16 games in an Aggie uniform.
• After a three-hit outing in the Aggies' Sunday win over Sam Houston, Boston Vest recorded his second straight multi-hit game with a pair of base knocks against the Wildcats.
• Aggie catcher Dane Woodcook finished the night with a career high three RBIs.
• Tommy Meluskey posted his fourth home run of the season and ended the Aggies' three-game streak without a home run.
• Colton Sneddon matched his career high in strikeouts with two.
• Tuesday marked the seventh time this season that the Aggies have used six or more pitchers in a single game. 

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