NM State baseball hands rival New Mexico first loss of season

LAS CRUCES, N.M. –NM State battled its way to a statement win on Tuesday evening at Presley Askew Field at Johnson Stadium, rallying past previously undefeated New Mexico with a decisive four‑run seventh inning to secure an 8-6 victory. The Aggies (6-6) collected nine hits, scored in four different innings, and held one of the nation’s top offenses to just six runs to hand the Lobos (12-1) their first loss of the 2026 season.

The Aggies grabbed an early lead in the second when Tommy Meluskey tripled and scored on a Cole Rogers sacrifice fly. UNM surged ahead with a three‑run sixth, but NM State responded immediately as Bryce Campbell singled and later scored on a Rogers RBI single to give the Aggies a 4-3 advantage.

NM State broke the game open in the seventh. Camden Kaufman and Boston Vest drew back‑to‑back walks before Aidan Taclas delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon – a two‑RBI double down the left‑field line to reclaim the lead. After an intentional walk to Campbell, Easton Rulli drove in another run with a single to center and Rogers followed with his third RBI of the day to make it 8-6.

From there, Connor Wylde closed the door, tossing the final three innings to earn the win. Wylde Aggies held the Lobos hitless over the final two frames, while the Aggies turned a key double play along the way to pick up the rivalry victory.

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NM State will remain at home for a weekend series against No. 25 UTSA, which will bring an 11-1 record to Las Cruces. The Aggies and Roadrunners will begin the three-game series on Friday at 6 p.m., with games also scheduled for Saturday at 6 p.m. and Sunday at 11 a.m.

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