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Five-run first inning proves too much for Aggies to overcome in opener vs. Sac State

NM State baseball continues to host Hornets this weekend

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The Basics
Game Twenty-Seven
Score: Sacramento State 6, NM State 5
Records: NM State (11-16, 3-10 WAC); Sacramento State (13-16)
Location: Las Cruces, N.M. (Presley Askew Field)

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – A massive first inning from Sacramento State was too much for the NM State baseball team to overcome on Friday night, falling 6-5 at home. Stellar work from the Aggie bullpen came up just short as a trio of relievers combined to allow just one run over 8.0 innings.

Rorik Maltrud was slated to make the start for the Aggies on Friday night but was scratched just before the national anthem, turning the ball over to Lyle Hibbits. Making his second start of the week, Hibbits struggled through 1.0 inning of work, allowing five runs – only three of which were earned.

Sacramento State took their 5-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning when Gunner Antillon led off for the Aggies. On a 0-2 pitch, Antillon launched his first collegiate home run to left field, providing the first Aggie hit of the game.

The Aggies cut the Sacramento State lead to just two in the fifth inning after plating a pair of runs. Cal Kilgore singled to right field, scoring Tommy Tabak from second base after Tabak had doubled. Preston Godfrey proceeded to plate Kilgore with a groundout to the second baseman.

Throughout Friday night, the Aggie bullpen provided stellar support and kept NM State in the ballgame. After Cam Blazek worked 5.0 scoreless innings in relief, Frank Dickson IV and Kaden Palmer combined to work 3.0 innings of one-run baseball. Blazek and Dickson combined to fan nine Hornet hitters on Friday night.

In the eighth inning, Brandon Dieter homered to left field, bringing the Aggies back within one. It was just the third home run of the season for the NM State shortstop.

In the top of the ninth inning, Sacramento State pushed their lead back to two with an RBI double to center field.

After Antillon singled to reach base for the fourth consecutive plate appearance, Ryan Grabosch doubled down the left field line to bring the Aggies back within a run. The miraculous comeback came to a close with a groundout to the pitcher as the Aggies fell 6-5.

Quick Hits
• Gunner Antillon reached base in each of his final four plate appearances with a home run in the fourth inning, walks in the fifth and seventh, and a single in the ninth.
• Cam Blazek tossed 5.0 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, striking out five.
• Antillon was the lone Aggie to record multiple hits.
• Antillon, Brandon Dieter, and Tommy Tabak each walked twice in the ballgame, accumulating all six of NM State’s walks.
• After not making a start since 2020, Lyle Hibbits made his second start on the mound of the week in an emergency situation.

On-Deck
NM State and Sacramento State will square off again on Saturday afternoon, beginning at 12 PM MT. The action will be televised on Bally Sports Arizona, Comcast New Mexico, and ESPN+.

For complete coverage of NM State baseball throughout the Aggies 2022 campaign visit NMStateSports.com - the official home of Aggie athletics - and follow the Aggies on Facebook (NM State Baseball), Twitter (@NMStateBaseball), and Instagram (@NMStateBaseball).


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