Score: NM State 10 – New Mexico 8
Source: NMSU Athletics
Records: NM State (21-23), (7-11) | UNM (23-20)
Location: Presley Askew Field
Win: Saul Soto (4-2) | Loss: Ryan Castillo (1-3)
NM State Baseball beats the New Mexico Lobos 10-8 on a Keith Jones II walk-off home run on April 30, at Presley Askew Field. Jones came up clutch for the Aggies as he blasted a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth with two outs in the inning.
Aaron Treloar earned his first start on the mound for the Aggies. The senior dealt in his outing, allowing no runs in the first two innings. In the bottom of the second the Aggies took the lead on an RBI single hit by freshman Steve Solorzano.
In the top of the third, the Lobos loaded the bases on back-to-back singles and a walk. With bases loaded, the Lobos took the lead on a grand slam. The Aggies managed another run in the bottom of the third on a RBI double hit from Nick Gore in what was his ninth double of his senior campaign.
In the top of the fourth, the Lobos jumped out to a big lead, scoring four runs. They did so on an RBI single, failed pickoff attempt and a two-RBI single. The visitors’ four fourth-inning runs were the last plated by the Lobos in the game as the Aggies held them scoreless across the final five frames.
In the fifth, the Aggies started to chip away as Gore earned his second RBI of the day on a single to score Titus Dumitru. With first baseman Mitch Namie on third base, a Lobo wild pitch which allowed Namie to score and give the Aggies their fourth run.
In the seventh, the Aggies had their most productive inning at the plate, scoring four runs. The first run scored came on a sacrifice fly hit by Logan Gallina. The Aggies later loaded the bases with three straight walks. Romeo Ballesteros was next up to the plate and singled up the middle to score Kade Benavidezand Damone Hale. The Aggies then brought across another run on a Lobo throwing error, allowing Solorzano to score.
Saul Soto came into the game in the top of the eighth and made quick work of the Lobos. His relief stint went two innings, and Soto struck out five batters, allowed just one hit and earned his fourth victory of the season.
After Soto struck out the side in the top of the ninth, The Aggies headed into the bottom of the ninth tied 8-8 with the Lobos. Benavidez led the inning off with a four-ball walk. The next two Aggies up flew out, to put two outs in the inning.
With Benavidez on first, the Aggies had one out remaining to avoid extra innings. With CUSA’s leader in home runs Keith Jones II at the plate, he hammered a deep fly over the center field wall to win the game for the Aggies. Jones’ 16th blast of the year sent the Crimson & White faithful home with a 10-8 victory.
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | 0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 10 | 2 |
| NM State | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 9 | 1 |
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
- Jones went 2-4 with two RBIs to earn his 22nd multi-hit game and 18th multi-RBI game of the season.
- Gore went 2-5 with two RBIs to earn his 16th multi-hit game and 15th multi-RBI game of the season.
- Ballesteros had a two-RBI game for his fifth multi-RBI game of the season.
- Jones’ winning home run was the first walk-off hit for the Aggies since March 17th against Sam Houston.
- The Aggies batted .567 in advancement opportunities.
UP NEXT:
The Aggies will host LA Tech on May 3-5, at Presley Askew Field for their final home series. 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 (NMState Baseball)
