After a previously devastating 14-4 loss, New Mexico State baseball returned to the Presley Askew Field in a matchup against I-25 rival, the University of New Mexico Lobos, and brought their offensive confidence, raking in 10 hits for a 10-2 win. Junior Sheehan O’Connor led the Aggies with two RBIs while seven of the nine starters also tallied hits. With the victory, the Aggies rise to a 13-18 overall record and sit at 2-7 in conference play.
The Aggies found their groove after an uneventful first inning and plated five runs in the bottom of the second. The effort began with back-to-back free bases, putting sophomore Mitch Namie and senior Nick Gore on first and second. After a wild pitch advanced the runners, O’Connor stepped up to the plate and singled up the third base line to bring in the first run. Senior Romero Ballesteros followed suit and plated another run before senior Keith Jones II blasted a three-run home run for an early 5-0 lead.
Slightly shaken, the Lobos managed to piece together a run in the top of the third thanks to a double from Reed Spenrath. With steadfast pitching on both sides, it took the Aggies two more at bats before tallying to their lead.
In the bottom of the fifth, the Aggies returned to their aggressive hitting ways and increased their lead to 9-1. After a couple of walks and a stolen base, senior Logan Gallina came up to bat with the bases loaded and nailed a shot down the right field line. His double turned into a triple after a Lobo throwing error, which plated all three runners to bring the score to 8-1. O’Connor brought in the last run of the inning with a deep single up the left side, plating freshman Ty Acton.
After three quick outs in the top of the sixth, the Aggies took the opportunity to tack on another run. The bottom half yielded another Lobo fielding error, which the Aggies capitalized on as junior Titus Dumitru touched home after another hit from Namie.
With neither side able to plate a run in the seventh or eighth inning, the Lobos had one last chance in the top of the ninth. After a walk and a single, the Lobos made an effort to chip away at their deficit with a hit from Khalil Walker, bringing the score to 10-2. With the Lobos unable to tie the game, the Aggies were victorious in the Battle of I-25 while junior pitcher Matt Romero recorded the win.
After the game, head coach Jake Angier expressed his delight with his team’s success along with the greater message he shares with them.
“We talked today about playing with substance and not being a program that plays for image,” coach Angier said. “I think in today’s world, everybody’s so image conscious…And I think if we can embrace just playing with substance, being a man of substance with the way we carry ourselves off the field, it all relates, whether you’re playing baseball or going to class…to just do things the right way.”
The Aggies will now hit the road for a three-game conference series against Middle Tennessee. The first pitch is set for Friday, April 12 at 5 p.m. followed by Saturday at 2 p.m. and capped off on Sunday at noon. Coverage will be streamed on ESPN+.
