LAS CRUCES, N.M.—CSU Bakersfield and New Mexico State played to a 6-6 tie in the final game of the Western Athletic Conference opening series for both schools Sunday afternoon. The game ended after 11 innings due to a CSUB travel curfew that would allow the Roadrunners to catch their flight back to California.

David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) hit his first career home run in the top of the first to give the Roadrunners the early lead. New Mexico State tied the score in the bottom of the first on a Joe Koerper sacrifice fly. RBI's from Kris Cayton (R-Sr., Manhattan Beach, Calif., LA Harbor College),  Logan Trowbridge (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo), and Metzgar  returned the lead to the Roadrunners in the top of the third.

Cayton hit his first CSUB home run to start the sixth.  The Roadrunners loaded the bases with one out later in the sixth. Aggies' relievers Trey Higgenbottom struck out Soloman Williams (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) before a second NMSU reliever, Matt Stein struck out Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) for the final out. CSUB again left the bases loaded in the seventh, marking the third time on the day that the Roadrunners would do that.

With one out in the eighth, Quinton Mack recorded his third hit of the day, a single to right field. Koerper singled to left center to bring up Jay Sheeley who doubled to center to plate Mack. Derek Umphres' infield single scored Koerper and advanced Sheeley to third. Pinch-hitter Brent Hermanussen singled to drive in Sheeley. Umphres advanced to third on a CSUB error as it became a 6-5 game.

Garrett Nimmo (So., Temecula, Calif., Temecula Valley HS) relieved CSUB starter Nick Rogowski (Sr., Woodbridge, Va., Cypress College) and faced Cam Haskins who singled to right to tie the score. Dan Kennon, who had the game tying, and game winning RBI's on Saturday, loaded the bases with an infield single.  Daniel Johnson reached on an infield single which allowed Umphres to score.  CSUB turned a 6-4-3 double play to get out of the eighth.

New Mexico State (2-16-1, 1-1-1 WAC) closer Billy Conrad came on in the ninth and gave up an infield single to pinch-hitter Christian Deaton (Fr., Bakersfield, Calif., Frontier HS) to begin the frame. Conrad struck out Ryan Grotjohn (So., Cave Creek, Ariz., Brophy College Prep). Pinch-hitter Garrett Pierce (Sr., Bakersfield, Calif., Centennial HS) grounded into a fielder's choice that got Deaton at second. Trowbridge was hit by a pitch.

Hein singled to right to score Pierce, Sheeley misplayed the ball, allowing Trowbridge to advance to third. Trowbridge attempted to score the potential go-ahead run, but Sheeley's throw was in time at the plate to throw out Trowbridge. Nimmo retired the Aggies in order in the ninth to send the game to extra innings.

Metzgar doubled down the left field line to get the 10th underway for CSUB. Joey Sanchez (So., Pico Rivera, Calif., El Rancho HS) popped up a sacrifice bunt attempt to Hermanussen, the NMSU catcher. Williams struck out for the third consecutive at-bat to bring up Gusbeth who also struck out for the third time on the day for the final out of the inning.

Nimmo posted his second consecutive 1-2-3 inning in the 10th. With one out in the top of the 11th, Grotjohn tripled to centerfield.  New Mexico State played the infield in against Pierce who struck out. Trowbridge grounded out to third for the third out.

Nimmo made it 10 in a row when he retired the Aggies in order in the 11th and that would be the final baseball of the day. Metzgar was 3-for-4. Metzgar reached base in five of his six plate appearances as he also walked twice. Cayton ended the day 3-for-4 with his home run, two RBI's, and two runs scored. Hein was 3-for-6 while Williams recorded two hits. Johnson was the only other Aggie with multiple hits (2-4). CSUB outhit NM State 14-12, but left 15 on-base, the fifth most in a game by a CSUB team.

CSUB (11-8-1, 1-1-1 WAC) stays on the road Wednesday when the 'Runners travel to No. 12/23 Cal State Fullerton for a 6 p.m. matchup. The Roadrunners return home after nine games away from Hardt Field on Mar. 27 when CSUB opens a WAC series against Utah Valley. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com.

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