Aggie baseball salvages win in weekend series

NM State collected its second impressive win of the week as it took down No. 25 UTSA 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at Presley Askew Field at Johnson Stadium. NMSU’s effort was highlighted by home runs from Easton Rulli and Aidan Taclas, along with a shutdown performance out of the bullpen by Connor Wylde. The win pushes the Aggies to 7-8 this season and puts an end to UTSA’s six-game winning streak.

After falling behind 1-0 in the second on a solo home run, the Aggies answered in the third when Dane Woodcook doubled and later scored on an RBI groundout from Aidan Taclas.

In the fourth, NM State took its first lead of the series as Boston Vest drew a walk and Easton Rulli drilled a two‑run home run to left, giving the Aggies a 3-1 advantage.

Following a home run from Aidan Taclas in the fifth, UTSA briefly tied the game in the sixth with a solo homer and a pair of RBI hits, but NMSU regained momentum in the eighth when Vest singled, moved to third on a bunt from Cole Rogers, and scored the game-winning run on a bunt single down the left‑field line from Woodcook.

On the mound, Connor Wylde delivered 2-1/3 scoreless innings to earn the win, following steady outings from Colton Sneddon, Jaden Davis and Dylan Weekly.

The Aggies’ staff limited UTSA to just two hits over the final three frames. NM State tallied nine hits on the afternoon, led by multi‑hit performances from Steve Solorzano, Aidan Taclas and Dane Woodcook.

The win marks the Aggies’ third win over a ranked opponent during the Angier era and represents the first win over a top 25 team since the squad knocked off No. 17 Dallas Baptist on March 30, 2025. This also serves as the Aggies third consecutive win in a Sunday game against a ranked opponent as they also defeated No. 14 Texas A&M 4-1 on Sunday, March 9, 2025.

With the win, Connor Wylde is now 3-0 this season, leaving him just one win shy of matching his total from the 2025 campaign.

With the home runs by Rulli and Taclas, Sunday marks the second game this season that the Aggies logged multiple home runs in a single game.

NM State batters struck out just twice in the win, marking the fewest combined strikeouts in a single game this year.

The Aggies’ five runs mark the fewest runs in a win this season and fewest since they knocked off No. 17 DBU, 4-3, on March 30, 2025.

NMSU will return home on Tuesday night to host the University of the Southwest for the second time this season. First pitch for the midweek contest is scheduled for 4:05 p.m.

Saturday loss

UTSA used a seven‑run fifth inning to take control during Saturday night play on the home diamond, as NMSU fell 13-0. The Roadrunners ultimately recorded 14 hits, while the Aggie offense tallied just three.

UTSA’s decisive fifth featured seven runs on seven hits, followed by a two‑run sixth and a two‑run homer from Drew Detlefsen in the seventh to stretch the lead. Conor Myles stifled NMSU over 5-1/3 scoreless innings with eight strikeouts.

The Aggies’ three hits came from Steve Solorzano, Tommy Meluskey and Cole Rogers, but NM State could not capitalize on limited opportunities, finishing 0‑for‑5 with runners in scoring position.

JT Price took the loss, and four Aggie pitchers saw action in the setback. Jack Turner did manage to post an immaculate inning in the second, using just nine pitches to retire a trio of Roadrunners.