LAS CRUCES, N.M.—New Mexico State's Dan Kennon hit a home run to tie the score in the seventh and smacked a single to plate two in the eighth to give the Aggies a 6-4 victory over CSU Bakersfield in Western Athletic Conference baseball action Saturday afternoon.

“We had a very tough day today despite playing fairly well,” said Roadrunners' head coach Bill Kernen.

Mylz Jones (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) broke the seal for CSUB (11-8, 1-1 WAC) in the top of the second when he hit a two-run home. The Aggies tied it in the bottom of the second when NMSU scored on a passed ball and received an RBI single from Jake Sheeley.

The Roadrunners returned to the lead in the top of the fifth when David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS) and Joey Sanchez (So., Pico Rivera, Calif., El Rancho HS) posted RBI singles. New Mexico State bounced back with a run in the bottom of the inning when Aaron Duran singled in Lucas Martinez.

CSUB threatened in the sixth. With one out and runners on second and third, Jay Sheely threw out Jones attempting to score on a Ryan Grotjohn (So., Cave Creek, Ariz., Brophy College Prep) fly out to end the inning.  Joe Koerper opened the bottom of the half of the frame with a single. Alec Daily (So., Temecula, Calif., Great Oak HS) relieved CSUB starter Steven Gee (So., Taft, Calif., Taft Union HS) to face Michael Paulson. Daily induced a Paulson fly out to second, but with Derek Umphres up, Koerper moved to second on a Daily wild pitch. Umphres battled back from down 1-2 in the count to work out a walk.

Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) made a long run in right to catch a Jay Sheeley fly out and nearly doubled off Koerper at second on the play. Daily struck out Martinez to end the inning.

Kennon, who entered the day with just five hits in the previous 16 NMSU games, opened the seventh with the game-tying home run. With two outs in the top of the eighth, Garrett Pierce (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) singled. Grotjohn was hit by a pitch which brought on the Aggies' closer Billy Conrad to face Logan Trowbridge (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo). Conrad battled back from being down 3-1 in the count to win the battle and strikeout the 'Runner catcher.

Koerper posted his fourth hit of the day to get the eighth underway for the Aggies. He advanced to second on a Paulson sacrifice bunt. CSUB turned to Max Carter (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) to face Umphres. Carter got Umphres to pop out to first.  Sheeley was intentionally walked to bring Martinez to the plate. Martinez, who struck out in his previous two at-bats, walked to load the bases.  Kennon singled to left to bring what proved to be the game winning runs.

“We had the game take over a few times and work against us in key situations, but then we also gave away some things away in the eighth inning that we were not able to overcome.”

Sanchez walked with two outs in the ninth but Conrad struck out Soloman Williams (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) to end the game.

Koerper was 4-for-4 with two runs scored.  Kennon was the only other Aggies' (2-16, 1-1 WAC) player with multiple hits. Seven different 'Runners had one hit. The series concludes Sunday when the teams meet at 12 p.m. (MDT).

“Our focus now has to be on trying to win the series,” said Kernen. “Winning road series is essential if you want to be the conference champion.”

The Roadrunners return home after a nine-game road trip Mar. 27 when CSUB opens a WAC series against Utah Valley. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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