NM State secured a 6-5 win over FIU on May 15 at Presley Askew Field at Johnson Stadium, evening the series and ending an eight-game losing streak. The Aggies improved their record to 20-33 overall and 9-20 in Conference USA play.
The game was decided early when NM State scored five runs in the third inning, sparked by Jonatan Clough’s triple. Steve Solorzano, Easton Rulli, and Boston Vest each contributed with runs batted in during the rally, helped by an FIU error. Jack Turner started for the Aggies and delivered six scoreless innings with three hits allowed and five strikeouts.
FIU attempted a comeback with three runs in the seventh inning, but NM State responded as Aidan Lombardi scored on a wild pitch to keep a three-run lead. The Panthers added two more runs in the ninth before Dylan Weekly closed out the game for his save. Solorzano and Lombardi led NM State’s offense with three hits each while Vest drove in two runs.
Several milestones were reached during the contest. Turner finished his career at NM State with exactly 100 strikeouts and earned his fourth win of the season. Clough became just the thirteenth player in program history to hit six or more triples in one season. Solorzano extended his hitting streak to fifteen games and collected his twentieth multi-hit game of this campaign.
Head Coach Jake Angier marked his twentieth win of the year, becoming only the third coach in program history to achieve twenty or more wins in each of their first three seasons leading NM State baseball.
The Aggies look ahead to Saturday’s rubber match against FIU as they aim to finish their series strong.
