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NM State clinches spot in CUSA Tournament despite loss.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo: Courtesy
RUSTON, La. – Despite a comeback attempt that saw NM State plate seven runs in the fifth inning, the Aggies fell short in the series opener on Friday night, dropping a 12-7 decision to LA Tech at J.C. Love Field.
Even with its eighth consecutive loss, NM State secured a spot in the 2025 CUSA Baseball Championship as it benefited from a loss by Middle Tennessee, which fell 11-6 at Kennesaw State on Friday.
The game opened on a frustrating note for the Aggies (22-30, 10-14 CUSA) who were held hitless through the first two innings while striking out six times. On the other side, LA Tech (30-22, 13-11 CUSA) capitalized on a chaotic bottom of the second, scoring six runs without a hit thanks to a combination of walks, hit-by-pitches, a sacrifice fly, and a wild pitch. The Bulldogs then added a solo home run in the third and an unearned run in the fourth to build an 8-0 lead.
NM State showed resilience in the top of the fifth, igniting a comeback. The Aggies placed two on the base paths with one out and began to chip away. Dane Woodcook’s RBI double brought life back into the dugout before Steve Solorzano drove in two more Aggies and Bryce Campbell crushed a three-run home run to dead center, trimming an eight-run deficit to just one run.
Trailing just 8-7 entering the bottom of the fifth, the Aggies handed the ball to the bullpen, which kept the Bulldogs quiet that inning. However, LA Tech regained control in the sixth and seventh, manufacturing four more runs. The Bulldogs added insurance in the eighth, stretching their lead to 12-7.
Campbell led the Aggies offensively, going 2-for-4 with a home run and three RBIs. Joey Craig added a pair of hits and scored once, while Solorzano drove in two. On the mound, starter Saul Soto was charged with the early damage, and though the bullpen battled to keep NM State in the game, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- The Aggies’ seven-run fifth inning matched their highest single-inning scoring mark of the season, equaling their output against Portland on March 16 and against Middle Tennessee on April 27.
- Bryce Campbell logged his fifth home run of the season and turned in the Aggies’ eighth three-run home run of the year, including the third three-run home run for Campbell himself.
- Friday also marked Campbell’s 12 multi-RBI game, which matches Mitch Namie for the most on the NM State squad.
- Steve Solorzano submitted his ninth multi-RBI game of the year.
- Joey Craig recorded his ninth multi-hit game of the year.
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