SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – NM State showed flashes offensively but could not slow Missouri State's big sixth inning, falling 14-8 on Friday morning at Route 66 Stadium in the opener of the three‑game series. With the loss, NM State drops to 19-29 overall and 8-17 in Conference USA play.
The Aggies struck first in the second as
Tommy Meluskey lifted a sacrifice fly to score
Aidan Lombardi. NM State added another in the fourth when
Boston Vest homered to left, briefly putting the Aggies back in front. The Aggies' biggest push came in the sixth, erupting for five runs highlighted by a two‑run double from
Jonatan Clough, a two‑run home run from Lombardi, and an RBI single from
Aidan Taclas to take an 8-5 lead.
Missouri State responded immediately with a decisive nine‑run bottom of the sixth, reclaiming control and turning the game in its favor. NM State added one more run in the ninth on a solo home run from
Easton Rulli, but could not close the gap.
Clough finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Lombardi went 3‑for‑4 with two RBIs and two runs scored as NM State totaled 11 hits in the series opener.
NOTABLES
- With his home run on Friday, Aidan Lombardi has now hit a home run in two of the Aggies' last three games after going deep against Liberty last Sunday. Before this, Lombardi had recorded just two home runs in his first 30 games this season.
- Lombardi tallied seven total bases to mark a new season high for the senior.
- Steve Solorzano extended his hitting streak to 10 games, marking the longest active streak by any Aggie. This also marks his second streak of 10 or more games this season and third of his career.
- With 11 hits, the Aggies have logged 10 or more hits in four of their last six games.
- On Friday, the Aggies hit three home runs to match the most in a single game this season. This is also the fourth time this season that the Aggies have hit three home runs in a game.
- NM State has now hit multiple home runs in five of its last 10 games.
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