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NM State dominates to end eight-game losing streak.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo: Courtesy
RUSTON, La. – A red-hot second and third inning at the plate helped NM State bounce back in commanding fashion Friday night, as the Aggies evened the weekend series with a 10-5 win over Louisiana Tech at J.C. Love Field.
After a quiet first frame from both squads, NM State’s offense came alive in the top of the second. Grant Horvat got things going with a single, and the Aggies (23-30, 11-14 CUSA) capitalized on a wild pitch to bring him home for the game’s first run. RBIs from Brandon Forrester and Mitch Namie extended the lead to 3-0 by the end of the inning.
The Aggies didn’t stop there as Bryce Campbell led off the third with a double, and Horvat delivered again with an RBI single. Joey Craig followed with a single of his own before Aidan Lombardi’s fielder’s choice plated another run. A perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Dane Woodcook brought in Craig to make it a 6-0 Aggie lead.
NM State took full advantage of LA Tech miscues in the fourth, pushing across two unearned runs thanks to a fielding error on a double play attempt from the Bulldog defense.
Leading 8-0, the Aggies added more insurance in the sixth when Steve Solorzano launched a two-run home run to left center, his third hit of the night, pushing the lead to 10-0.
LA Tech (30-23, 13-12 CUSA) did not go down quietly, plating one in the sixth and adding four more in the eighth to cut the Aggie lead in half. A two-run single up the middle capped off the rally and made it a 10-5 ballgame, but NM State’s bullpen held firm in the ninth to seal the victory.
Solorzano paced the Aggies with a 3-for-4 night at the plate, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Horvat also notched three hits and two runs, while Craig added two hits and a stolen base. On the mound, NM State’s staff combined for a solid effort, holding the Bulldogs scoreless through the first five innings while giving up just five total hits.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- NM State recorded double digit runs for the 13th time this season and are now 8-5 in games that it scores 10 or more runs.
- With the win, the Aggies lock up the No. 7 seed in the upcoming Conference USA Championship, where they will meet up with No. 2 Western Kentucky in the opening round of the eight-team tournament.
- On the night, five different Aggies tallied multi-hit nights, including Gianni Horvat, Joey Craig and Dane Woodcook who bat in the six, seven and nine spots, respectively.
- For Steve Solorzano, Friday marked his 17th multi-hit game of the year and represented his seventh three-hit performance of the year. The Las Cruces, N.M., native also recorded his 10th multi-RBI game of the year.
- Friday night marked the sixth time this season that Aggie pitching allowed five or fewer hits.
- Ian Hoslett finished the night allowing just one hit and no runs across four innings to mark the fourth time this season that he has thrown at least one inning an allow no runs.
- Connor Wylde collected his fourth win of the season as he tossed three innings and gave up just two hits and one run in relief.
- Dane Woodcook notched his seventh multi-hit game of the year while pushing his hit streak to a team-best six games.
- For the 23rd time this season, NM State did not record a single error.
- With the win, NM State moves to 9-16 on the road, while improving to 27-15 all-time against LA Tech, including a 12-10 mark in Ruston.
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