SEATTLE — Seattle U baseball split its double feature on Saturday, falling to New Mexico State, 2-1 in the opener, before take slipping past in 4-3 in game two. As a result, the Redhawks now hold a 2-1 series lead with one game left.
Game 1: SU 1, NMSU 2 (7 inn.) / Box Score
In the opener, the Redhawks tallied four hits including two in the second inning. Matt Boissoneault scored during the frame, accounting for the lone SU tally. After reaching on a lead-off single, he moved 90 feet two batters later. Kyle Sherick then slapped a hit down the right field line for an RBI double.
The Aggies were limited to one run in the first as Redhawk starter Alex Jemal worked his way out of a bases loaded jam. NMSU scratched one more across in the second for a 2-0 lead.
After surrendering six hits in the opening two frames, Jemal retired six of the next seven batters faced, highlighted by a 1-2-3 inning in the fourth. The right-hander continued to hold the Aggies scoreless in the fifth, leaving a runner stranded at second before putting together another three-up, three-down inning in the sixth. Jemal was charged with the loss and slipped to 1-4 on the year, after going the distance, allowing two runs, one earned, on nine hits.
Game 2: SU 4, NMSU 3 / Box Score
Tied 3-3 in the fifth, Connor O'Brien began the inning with a lead-off walk before advancing to third in the next at-bat as Julian Kodama singled down the right. After a NM State pitching change, the new arm spiked an offering that found its way to the backstop, which allowed O'Brien to across for the decisive run.
Redhawks reliever Nestor German then made quick work of the Aggie order in the sixth and seventh. NMSU threatened to tie in the eighth but a runner was eventually stranded at third.
With Seattle U leading 4-3 in ninth, NM State put even more pressure on the Redhawks' narrow margins it posted runners at second and third. Seattle U closer, Lucas Ford, however remained calm and secured the victory. In doing, he picked up his fourth career save and moved into a tie for seventh on the Redhawks' career list since the program's return in 2010. German was credited with the win, improving to 2-2 on the year.
The Redhawk bats were swinging in the second as they opening the scoring with a three-run inning. Boissoneault drove in Mazzone for the opening run with a double to center. After advancing to third on a base knock by Derek Gellos, Boissoneault touched home as Drake Maningo poked a single through the left side. Grant Heiser than froze the Aggie infield with a well-placed bunt to load the bases. Gellos then raced in from third on a sac fly from Sherick. The Redhawks were unable to push move runs across as they went closed the frame on back-to-back strikeouts.
NM State responded in the third by loading the bases with two outs, before pulling even with a double to left.
The Redhawks notched eight hits in the second game, while holding NMSU to four, its second-lowest tally of the season. At the plate, Boissoneault and Maningo each went 2-for-4.