LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State battled back behind a pair of multi‑run innings but could not overcome early damage as Sam Houston held on for an 8-7 road victory Thursday night at Presley Askew Field at Johnson Stadium. With the loss, the Aggies fall to 16-20 overall and 7-9 in Conference USA play.
 
Sam Houston struck quickly in the opening inning, stringing together four hits to push across three runs. The Bearkats added more in the second behind a two‑run home run from Ryan Franden and an RBI double from Cade Corcoran, building an early 8-0 cushion.
 
The Aggies answered in the second when Boston Vest delivered an RBI single to get NM State on the board, then cut into the deficit in the third with a big swing. After back‑to‑back hit batters, Jonatan Clough launched a three‑run home run to center, pulling the Aggies within striking distance.
 
NM State continued to chip away in the sixth as Tommy Meluskey drove in a run with an RBI single, and the Aggies manufactured additional offense with aggressive baserunning and sacrifice plays to keep pressure on Sam Houston's starter.
 
Despite the rally, NM State was unable to mount a final comeback against reliever Zak Johnson, who earned the save. Sam Houston starter Ryan Peterson picked up the win, while Colton Sneddon took the loss for the Aggies.
 
Clough led NM State offensively with the three‑run home run, while Vest, Meluskey, Brandon Clizbe and Aidan Lombardi each drove in a run.
 
NOTABLES

• Jonatan Clough powered NM State's offense with a three‑run home run that served as the Aggies' fifth home run that produced three or more runs this season. This was Clough's fourth home run of the season and fifth of his career with the Aggies.
• The Aggies are now 3-19 this season when scoring seven or fewer runs. Contrarily, the Aggies are 13-1 when tallying at least eight runs.
• Friday marked just the fourth one-run game the Aggies have played in this season. With the loss, they are now 1-3 in one-run contests.
• Aggie batters were hit by five pitches, including two drawn by Camden Kaufman. This marked the fourth time this season the Aggies have worn five or more pitches. Additionally, Boston Vest was hit by a pitch, moving his season total to 19, leaving him just two shy of the program record set by Tristan Carranza.
• For the fourth time in the last five games, the Aggies recorded multiple stolen bases as they finished the night with three swipes.
• With Clough's home run, the Aggies have now hit a home run in each of the last three contests. 

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