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Aggies led by three-hit day from Mitch Namie.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo By Destinie Ramos for NMSU: Courtesy
HUNTSVILLE, Texas – Fueled by a five-run explosion in the fifth inning and a stellar outing from its pitching staff, NM State topped Sam Houston 6–2 on Friday night at Don Sanders Stadium to open the series with authority.
The Aggies (16-14, 4-3 CUSA) struck first in the top of the first inning, as Tommy Meluskey delivered an RBI double to score Mitch Namie, who had led off the game with a double of his own. NM State threatened again in the second and fourth innings, but it wasn’t until the fifth that the offense broke things wide open, generating a healthy lead over the Bearkats (7-23, 1-6 CUSA)
A two-out rally saw the Aggies send ten batters to the plate in the fifth, stringing together five hits and drawing two walks. Bryce Campbell started the rally with a single, while Aidan Lombardiand Kevin Benavidez followed with hits to load the bases. After a wild pitch brought home Campbell to make it 2–1, Dane Woodcook ripped a two-run single up the middle, and Namie added an RBI single of his own. Meluskey capped the inning by drawing a bases-loaded walk to push the lead to 6–1.
Woodcook finished 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one run, while Namie went 3-for-5 with an RBI and two doubles. Benavidez also added a pair of hits on the night to go along with two RBIs from Meluskey.
On the mound, the Aggies received a strong start and a shutdown performance from the bullpen. After allowing a single run in the first and an unearned run in the fifth, NM State’s relievers proved to be up to the task. Jack Turner opened the game by tossing 6.0 innings and recording a career high nine strikeouts before Matthew Yarc, Ian Hoslett and Saul Soto combined to throw three hitless innings to keep the Bearkat offense quiet.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- Mitch Namie recorded his 10th multi-hit game of the season while finishing with his third three-hit game of the year. Namie also tallied two doubles to match the most doubles by an Aggie in a single game this season.
- With two RBIs, Tommy Meluskey posted his sixth multi-RBI game of the season, a mark that is tied for second most on the Aggies this year.
- Jack Turner’s nine-strikeout performance registers as the most strikeouts by an Aggie pitcher this season. This also contributed to a night in which the Aggies finished with 14 total strikeouts to give the Aggies 31 total strikeouts over the last two games after logging 17 against New Mexico on Tuesday night.
- Including Friday night’s outing, Aggie pitchers have combined to record 10 or more strikeouts in a single game five times this season, with tonight being the first time doing so against a CUSA opponent.
- NM State allowed just two runs to mark just the fourth time this season that the Aggies’ opponent has scored two or fewer runs this year.
- Tonight’s victory marked the first road win on a Friday this season. With the win, the Aggies are now 5-6 on the road and have won five of their last six road contests.
For complete coverage of NM State Baseball, visit NMStateSports.com – the official home of Aggie athletics – and follow us on Twitter (@NMStateBaseball), Instagram (@NMStateBaseball) and like us on Facebook (NM State Baseball).
