-and-
Solorzano records two-run blast in first inning.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo By Destinie Ramos for NMSU: Courtesy
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WKU | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 1 |
| NM State | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 0 |
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A promising start for NM State baseball faded quickly on Friday night, as the Aggies fell 11–3 to Western Kentucky in the series opener at Presley Askew Field. Despite grabbing an early 2–0 lead, NM State couldn’t keep pace with the Hilltoppers’ potent offensive attack.
The Aggies struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Steve Solorzano launched a two-run homer to left field, bringing home Mitch Namie, who had singled earlier in the frame. NM State looked poised to build on that momentum, but WKU quickly answered back in the top of the second with two runs of their own to even the score.
After a scoreless second for the Aggies, the Hilltoppers surged ahead in the top of the third, highlighted by a three-run homer from Austin Haller that pushed the WKU lead to 6–2. NM State its opportunities, leaving runners in scoring position in both the second and third innings, but came up empty in both frames
WKU continued to pour it on with a solo homer in the fourth, a two-run shot in the sixth by Ethan Lizama, and a two-run blast by Ryan Wideman in the seventh, ballooning their lead to 11–2.
The Aggies showed signs of life in the ninth when Joey Craig and Solorzano reached to open the inning, and Gianni Horvatdrove in a run with an RBI single. However, a double play and an out on the bases halted the comeback effort.
Solorzano led NM State offensively, going 2-for-4 with a home run, a walk and two RBIs. Horvat added two hits and an RBI, but the Aggies left 11 runners on base and were unable to capitalize on scoring opportunities.
NM State used four pitchers in the contest, with Saul Soto, Carson Timmons, Chris Daniels and Cade Shumard each pitching at least two innings.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- Steve Solorzano tallied his seventh home run of the season and first since April 19. With seven long balls, he now ranks tied for second most on the team. Tonight also marked Solorzano’s 15th multi-hit game and sixth multi-RBI game of the year.
- Gianni Horvat now has six multi-hit games, including a pair of two-hit games in two of the last three games.
- Boston Vest logged the eighth multi-hit game of his freshman campaign.
- Austin Corbett is now riding a team-best seven-game hit streak.
- Tonight’s game marked just the third time this season that the Aggies scored three or fewer runs in their home ball park.
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).
