Ryan Aguayo led off the second inning with a single, followed by a walk drawn by Tanner Waite. After Zac Fisher's groundout advanced the runners to second and third, Bryan Karraker sent a single into left-center field, scoring both Aguayo and Waite. Chuck Howard launched a ball to the wall in left-center field that fell between the Redhawk outfielders for a double, driving in Karraker.
For New Mexico State (30-14) in the fourth inning, Fisher and Karraker led off with back-to-back singles, and Zachary Voight followed with a single to center field that sent Fisher home. Howard's ground ball to the left of second base was misplayed by Nick Latta (Tacoma, Wash.), loading the bases.
After a popout, Tyler Forney sent a single into right field that scored Karraker, and Voight was able to come around and score when Doug Kincaid (Portland, Ore.) could not get a handle on the ball. Seattle U made a pitching change, but the Aggies earned more runs on a two-run single by Aguayo that plated Howard and Forney.
Seattle U broke through in the bottom of the fourth, as Josh Kutz (Seattle, Wash.) was hit by a pitch and Cullen Hendrickson's (Auburn, Wash.) ground ball hit the glove of second baseman Parker Hipp before bouncing away. Matt Comer (Bozeman, Mont.) hit a blast over the left field wall for a three-run home run, his third long ball of the season, to cut the Aggie lead to 8-3.
The Redhawk bats were quiet the rest of the game, as Aggie starter Trey Ross as well as relievers Riley Bevill and Scott Coffman held the home team to two hits and a walk in the final five innings, with Seattle U hitting into two double plays and getting picked off once to erase those runners. Ross earned his sixth victory of the season with a five-inning performance, and Bevill and Coffman each gave up only one hit while striking out two batters in two innings apiece.
Seattle U starter Seafth Howe (Seattle, Wash.) took the loss after giving up eight hits, a walk, and eight runs, five of them earned, in 3 1/3 innings of work. Freshman lefty Cory Mack (Spokane, Wash.) enjoyed another solid relief appearance, allowing three hits in 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.
Seattle University (17-21) will look to regroup before heading on the road next Wednesday, May 4, for a single game against Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. The Redhawks will then face BYU in a three-game series in Provo, Utah, May 5-7, before beginning the final homestand of the 2011 season with a game against the Oregon Ducks at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma, Wash., Tuesday night, May 10.