-and-
Series finale scheduled for 11 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo By Sai Tafoya for NMSU: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – Despite multiple scoring chances and a strong showing from reliever Connor Wylde, NM State couldn’t overcome early home runs and a costly ninth inning, falling 6–1 to Jacksonville State on Friday night at Presley Askew Field.
The Aggies (18-21, 6-8 CUSA) had the table set all night but couldn’t cash in. They finished with six hits, drew five walks, and had baserunners in seven of nine innings—but managed just one run while leaving 10 runners stranded. NM State’s run came in the sixth inning when Steve Solorzano, who had a three-hit game, led off with a single and eventually scored on an RBI single by Mitch Namie.
By then, Jax State (23-16, 7-7) had already built a 3–0 lead behind back-to-back solo home runs in the fourth inning from Grayson Ashe and Matthew Cash to add to an earlier RBI single from Ashe in the second. NM State starter Hayden Lewis tossed four innings, but handed the ball off to Connor Wylde, who kept the Aggies within striking distance for four innings before a three-run ninth gave the Gamecocks a five-run advantage
Wylde allowed just one earned run as a leadoff double, followed by a bunt and a throwing error, allowed one run to score. Two more crossed on a single and groundout later in the inning.
NM State had one last push in the bottom half of the ninth as Cole Rogers was hit by a pitch, and Brandon Forrester worked a walk, but a flyout to right ended the night.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- Steve Solorzano provided pressure at the top of the lineup, recording the Aggies’ first three hits of the night to notch his 12thmulti-hit game of the year.
- Mitch Namie pushed his hitting streak to 12 games and drove in the Aggies’ lone run of the night.
- Friday night marked just the fourth time this season that the Aggies scored one run or fewer this season.
- Jax State’s six runs was the fewest scored by an Aggie opponent in a loss this year.
- Connor Wylde matched his career high in innings with five.
- Hayden Lewis turned in his sixth outing of the year with no walks.
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