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Aggies push across nine while nearly tossing a shutout.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo By Destinie Ramos for NMSU: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – For the second straight week, NM State opened its weekend with a commanding victory as it used strong pitching and timely hitting to secure a 9-1 win over Western Illinois on Friday night at Presley Askew Field.
With a scoreless affair into the third, NM State (3-2) ended the tie as shortstop Camden Kaufman hit a solo home run to center field – giving the Aggies a 1-0 lead. Later, the Aggies would break open the game during the middle innings, scoffing two runs in the fifth before putting up three-run frames in both the sixth and seventh innings. Kaufman would continue to lead the charge as he finished the day with a triple, home run and three RBIs.
Mitch Namie also got in on the action in the fifth inning with a two-RBI double that lifted the Aggies to a 3-0 advantage. In the sixth, back-to-back hits from Kaufman and Brandon Forresterallowed the Crimson and White to extend its lead to six runs.
The seventh inning was highlighted by a two-run home run off the bat of Sheehan O’Connor who continued his hot start to the 2025 season. This was also preceded by an RBI single from Steve Solorzano – giving the Aggie infield a total of seven RBIs on the night.
On the mound, Jack Turner (2-0) turned in a stellar start for the Aggies, tossing six shutout innings, while allowing just three hits and striking out two. Saul Soto and Cooper Reese then combined to finish the final three frames with just one Leatherneck run coming across in the ninth.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- The Aggies outhit Western Illinois 9-5 and took advantage of four walks.
- Sheehan O’Connor’s home run was his fourth of the season – doubling his output from the 2024 season. This is also O’Connor’s fourth multi-RBI game of the young season – a mark that leads the Aggies.
- O’Connor is also one of three Aggies to have logged a hit in each of the Aggies’ first five contests. He is joined by Steve Solorzano and Mitch Namie.
- The Aggies are now 2-0 in night games this season and 1-0 against Western Illinois all-time as this marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
- Camden Kaufman logged his first home run as an Aggie and first triple as an Aggie on Friday night. This also marks just the second triple of Kaufman’s three-year collegiate career, including one last season with Des Moines Area CC.
- Freshman pitcher Cooper Reese tallied his first career strikeout on Friday night.
UP NEXT
NM State will return to the diamond on Saturday evening for the second game of the series versus Western Illinois. First pitch for Saturday’s contest is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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).
