-and-
Craig’s late solo home run seals road victory.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo: Courtesy
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico State | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| FIU Panthers | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 3 |
MIAMI – A four-run third inning and some clutch late-inning pitching helped NM State edge out FIU, 6–4, on Friday night at FIU Baseball Stadium. The Aggies capitalized on defensive miscues by the Panthers and got timely contributions from throughout the lineup to secure their eighth road win of the season.
After two scoreless innings to open the game, the Aggies (18-16, 6-4 CUSA) broke through in the top of the third, manufacturing four unearned runs thanks to a combination of hits and three costly FIU errors. With two outs, Mitch Namiereached on a misplay at first that sparked the rally. Bryce Campbell followed with a grounder that was misplayed again, allowing two more runs to score. Tommy Meluskey capped the inning with a sharp RBI single up the middle, giving the Aggies a 4–0 lead.
NM State tacked on another run in the fourth when Boston Vest led off with a triple and was brought home by Joey Craig’s RBI groundout, extending the lead to 5–0.
FIU responded in the bottom of the fourth, capitalizing on an error and stringing together three straight hits to plate three runs and close the gap to 5–3. The Panthers stayed within striking distance, and Kishon Frett’s solo home run in the eighth brought them to within one, but the Aggies weren’t done yet.
In the top of the ninth, Craig came through again, launching a solo home run to left field — his fifth of the season — to give NM State some breathing room at 6–4.
Aggie closer Saul Soto came in to shut the door in the ninth after a leadoff walk, retiring the final three batters to nail down the victory and preserve the two-run cushion.
Offensively, Namie and Tariq Freeny each tallied two hits, while Craig delivered two RBIs, including the game-sealing homer. On the mound, the Aggies’ pitching staff worked out of several jams, stranding six Panthers on base over the final five innings. The effort on the bump was led by starter Jack Turner who tossed a career-best 8.0 innings while allowing just three earned runs and recording five strikeouts.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- The Aggies improved to 8-8 on the road, including a 5-2 mark against league opponents.
- Mitch Namie submitted his 12 multi-hit game of the season which ranks second on the team this year.
- Joey Craig’s solo home run was his fifth of the season and his two-RBI performance is his sixth multi-RBI game of the year.
- Steve Solorzano returned to the lineup and extended his hitting streak to nine games which is the longest active streak among Aggies.
- Jack Turner’s outing of 8.0 innings is his longest of the year and is the longest of any Aggie pitcher since Ian Mejia also went 8.0 innings on March 13, 2022.
- Saul Soto collected his second save of the season to pace all Aggies this year.
- Tariq Freeny posted a pair of hits to log his sixth multi-hit game of the year.
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