Box Score Game Box (pdf)
LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Wofford baseball team was defeated 20-7 on Friday night by New Mexico State University at Presley Askew Field. The Aggies used six hits and seven runs in the first to take a lead and added six runs in both the fifth and seventh innings. The teams combined to issue 24 walks in the game.
Wofford is 8-12 on the season, while New Mexico State is 14-10 overall. The game was played in windy conditions, with sustained winds of 35 mph and gusts of up to 50 mph blowing left to right across the field that slowly died down over the course of the night. Wofford was led by Landon Bennett with two hits, including a home run. The Aggies were led by Leo Aguirre with four hits and three RBIs.
In the bottom of the first, the Aggies loaded the bases with two walks and a single. A single to left by Leo Aguirre scored one run and another walk brought in run as well for a 2-0 lead. A single by Chance Perkins and a fielder’s choice by Parker Hipp added two runs before a double to right center by Wesley Starkes plated two more runs for a 6-0 advantage. Nate Shaver hit an RBI single to make it a 7-0 game before Ben Harty flew out to right with the bases loaded to end the inning.
Wofford got on the board in the top of the second when Konstantine Diamaduros walked and went to third on a throwing error by the pitcher. Landon Bennett grounded out to drive in the run for a 7-1 score. The Aggies left three on base in the bottom of the third.
In the top of the fourth, Mac Doyle reached on an error and Konstantine Diamaduros walked. Landon Bennett then hit a ball to deep right that carried over the fence to score three runs and make it a 7-4 game. New Mexico added two hits in the bottom of the fourth, but a double play and ground out ended the inning.
New Mexico State added a run on a walk in the bottom of the fifth. A double to right by Mike Sodders scored a run as the Aggies took a 9-4 lead. Chance Perkins added a two-run double with two outs. A triple by Wesley Starkes to the left center wall drove in two more runs for a 13-4 lead.
The Terriers loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth, but a strikeout and fielder’s choice left them loaded with two outs. James Foster hit a single up the middle to score two runs and it was a 13-6 game in the middle of the sixth. New Mexico State added a run on an RBI single by Leo Aguirre for a 14-6 lead.
Wofford left two runners on base in the top of the seventh. The Aggies added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a single by Wesley Starkes that dropped in shallow right field. With the bases loaded, a passed ball scored one run. Mike Sodders hit a home run deep to center to score three runs and a 19-6 lead. New Mexico State added one more in the inning for a 20-6 score after seven. Wofford was able to add one run in the top of the ninth when Neil Robinette walked and scored when Bradley Evsich reached on an error for a 20-7 final.
For the Terriers, starter John Cornely (1-4) went three innings and allowed seven runs on eight hits with two strikeouts and seven walks. Brandon Yarusi went one and two thirds, allowing six runs on six hits. Pete Noordsy threw 1.1 innings with two hits and one run allowed with three strikeouts. Alex Wilson went a third of an inning and allowed five runs on three hits with a strikeout. Jordan Mickleberry threw the final two innings with one run on two hits.
New Mexico State starter Daniel Simon (2-3) went six innings and allowed six runs on three hits with seven walks and seven strikeouts. Jared Jordan picked up the save with three innings of work with one run allowed on one hit.
Wofford continues the series in the desert on Saturday with two games and one on Sunday before concluding the road trip with a two-game series at Vanderbilt on March 30 and 31.
