MESA, Ariz. - Behind a four-run first inning and a two-run second inning, the NM State Aggies stayed alive in the 2016 WAC Tournament, knocking out CSU Bakersfield, 11-6, on Friday at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa, Ariz.
The Aggies got on the board early as Dan Hetzel singled home Greg Popylisen and Daniel Johnson for the early lead. NM State tacked on two more runs before the inning was over and two more in their next at-bat. The Runners scored four in the bottom of the third to tighten the gap but two more NM State runs in the fourth kept the Aggies ahead as NM State held on for the 11-6 win.
The Aggies were led by 3-for-5 from Popylisen and three RBIs from Hetzel. Steven Butts earned the win with Joe Galindo earning the one-pitch save.
Andrew Hansen took the loss for the Runners. Dustin Frailey walked twice to set a new tournament record for base on balls with seven in three games.
NM State now takes on Sacramento State for the chance to extend a tournament run into Saturday.