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Soto allows just one run across seven innings in second career start.
Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Photo By Destinie Ramos for NMSU: Courtesy
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – NM State came out sharp under the Friday night lights, riding a fast start and solid pitching to a 6–1 series-opening win over Middle Tennessee at Presley Askew Field.
The Aggies (20-22, 8-8 CUSA) wasted no time jumping on the Blue Raiders, plating three unearned runs in the bottom of the first inning. Bryce Campbell got the scoring started with an RBI double to right, and Gianni Horvat and Dane Woodcook followed with back-to-back RBI singles to make it 3–0 before the visiting side could record three outs.
NM State added another run in the second when Austin Corbettsingled and came around to score on a Brandon Forrester base knock up the middle. Forrester continued to be a spark at the top of the lineup, finishing 2-for-3 with two walks, two stolen bases and two runs scored.
After MTSU’s Hayden Miller trimmed the lead with a solo home run in the third, the Aggie pitching staff clamped down. Starter Saul Soto worked seven strong innings, allowing just one run while striking out five. He kept MTSU (19-23, 4-12 CUSA) off balance all night and picked up his fourth win of the season.
The Aggies tacked on single runs in the sixth and seventh, thanks to an RBI single by Steve Solorzano and a solo homer from Horvat – his first of the season – to give NM State breathing room at 6–1.
The bullpen combination of freshmen Hazen Wright and Dylan Weekly shut the door with two scoreless innings of relief, sealing an all-around team win to kick off the weekend. With the victory, NM State will look to clinch the series when it returns to Presley Askew Field on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- Saul Soto recorded a new career high 7.0 innings pitched while recording his second straight outing with five or more strikeouts.
- Bryce Campbell continued his streak and has reached base in every game he has played in as an Aggie (25 games).
- Brandon Forrester produced his team-leading 16th multi-hit game and recorded his second game with two stolen bases, moving his total number of stolen bases on the season to 16 to pace all Aggies.
- Hazen Wright continued his strong freshman campaign and has now allowed just one earned run in his last 10 outings (12.2 innings).
- Friday marked the first time in the last seven games that the Aggies were able to score the game’s first run with the last time coming at FIU on April 12.
- The win marked just the third time this season that the Aggies have held their opponent to one run or fewer while its six runs is tied for the fourth fewest number of runs in a win this year.
- NM State improved its home record to 12-11 and evened the all-time series with MTSU to 10-10. Additionally, the Aggies are now 5-2 against the Blue Raiders at Presley Askew Field.
- The Aggies are also now 11-6 when scoring first.
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