LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Diamond 'Dogs (15-10, 4-2 CUSA) dropped the rubber match to New Mexico State (11-12, 3-3 CUSA), 8-6, on Sunday at Presley Askew Field in Las Cruces.
 
For the third consecutive day, the contest began with an RBI base hit delivered by Trey Hawsey, this time a single ripped just past the Aggie second baseman. Cade Patterson led the game off with a single through the same side before landing on second on a hit-by-pitch to Colby Lunsford.
 
Hawsey then drew a 3-2 count before bringing in the first run of the ball game, putting runners on the corners with no outs. A double play brought in the runner on third to give Tech a 2-0 lead heading into the home half of the opening frame.
 
NMSU swiftly put their first run on the board with a solo shot on the first pitch of the day, which was a fastball just above the strike zone on the inside part of the plate. The Aggies then followed up with a double down the right field line and a one-out triple to tie the game at 2-2.
 
An infield hit chopped just over the pitcher's head put NMSU out in front, but the Aggies' threat ended with a runner caught stealing and a swinging strikeout. The 'Dogs evened it back up with a solo shot by Matt Houston, but the home side regained the lead with a trio of singles and a walk to match a run.
 
A solo homer from Hawsey brought the score back to even, and held at a 4-4 tie through the top half of the fifth. Yet, the 'Dogs had opportunities to break the tie by putting runners in scoring position in both the fourth and fifth frames, but were unable to bring them home.
 
New Mexico State put a runner on with two outs on a single before advancing to second on a throwing error to first on a pickoff attempt. A walk and an RBI single followed to break the lead and give the Aggies runners on the corners still with two outs. A stolen base put two runners in scoring position, and NMSU cashed in with a two-run single to end the fifth with a 7-4 lead.
 
One-out singles off the bats of Brecken Menuet and Patterson gave Tech a chance to do some damage with runners on the corners before Colby Lunsford loaded the bases on a four-pitch walk. Sebastian Mexico then cashed in with a two-RBI base hit poked out to left to bring the deficit to one heading to the home half of the sixth
 
Joey Wittig delivered a scoreless inning out of the pen to keep Tech in striking distance, allowing just two runners on with a walk and a HBP but ending the frame with a looking strikeout.
 
The Aggies, still leading by one in the bottom of the seventh, led off with a single on an excuse-me swing to the left side of the infield between the foul line and the pitcher's mound. The runner ended up on third with no outs after an errant throw at first attempting to get the runner out before scoring on a one-out base knock through the middle of the infield, making it an 8-6 game in the seventh.
 
A small light of life flickered for the 'Dogs to attempt a comeback by leading off the eighth with a single, but a double play and a flyout ensued to put an end to the threat, followed with a pair of looking strikeouts and a groundout to end the game.
 
Houston, along with his solo homer, also threw out three attempting base-stealers on the afternoon. Nate Crider tossed 1 2/3 of one-hit baseball, punching out two of the five batters he faced. Hawsey's three-hit performance now gives the sophomore first baseman five total on the season and six in his career.
 
The Bulldogs conclude their road trip on Tuesday, March 24, facing the LSU Tigers at Alex Box Stadium in Baton Rouge. First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. CT.
 
 Quotables
 
Associate Head Coach Cooper Fouts:
"I thought Thomas Allen did a good job today. Obviously, they came out swinging the bats at every first pitch—they lead off the game with a home run, and that guy hadn't swung at a first pitch as a leadoff all weekend. But, he settled down and threw a lot of strikes. I don't think he ever gave in or gave up, which is super impressive for a young guy that got punched in the mouth at the start. He wasn't giving up free passes—they had to beat us hitting the baseball, and they did early in the game, but after that I felt like he settled in well. There's still a ton to learn and improve on, but with it being his first start he handled it and he gave us a chance to win. Matt Houston and Brecken Menuet are both unbelievable teammates—they are so invested in this team. So, when they get rewarded, our team is so happy for them. It's good to see Matt to continue to produce and handle the game well, and he crushed it behind the plate. He threw great, he blocked great, he received great and certainly, the big hit. And then Brecken—the guy made a bunch of plays at short and had three great at-bats. He's a good ballplayer, but both of those guys are just so invested in the team—those are the kind of guys you win championships with."
 
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