RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Brent Sakurai was the hero in Sunday's extra inning series win, driving in the winning run. With the 6-5 win, the Aggies took the series from UC Riverside.
 
NM State jumped on the Highlanders early Trey Stine was plunked, reaching first. Daniel Johnson drove in Stine with a double to right center. Tristen Carranza followed it up with a single of his own down the left field line, scoring Johnson.
 
UCR got a run back in the bottom of the second as a run scored with a bases loaded walk.
 
The Highlanders took the lead 3-2 in the bottom of the fourth. The both runs a came on a two run blast two-run blast to left.
 
The Aggies roared back in the seventh as Greg Popylisen took first on a full count walk. Tommy Bell singled to right and both advanced due to a wild throw in by the right fielder. Brent Sakurai brought home Popylisen on a single through the left side. During the next at-bat, Sakurai stole second. Pinch hitting for Jaron Balman, Austin Botello singled to the right field corner, scoring Bell and Sakurai.
 
UCR got a run in the eighth to cut it to one run. The run came on a single on a hard hit ball to third.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, UCR tied the game on a single up the middle scoring the runner from second and forcing extra innings.
 
In the 10th, the Aggies took over as Zak Felix walked on a 3-1 pitch to get it started. Greg Popylisen moved him over with a sacrifice bunt. UCR intentionally walked Dan Hetzel, who came up clutch hits all series, to get to Brent Sakurai. Sakurai took the first two pitches he saw. On the 1-1 pitch, Sakurai laced a ball into center field scoring Felix to take the lead to seal it.
 
Joe Galindo closed out the bottom half earning the win by getting three quick outs after facing one over the minimum.
 
The Aggies are back in action on Thursday as they open conference play with a home series against Chicago State.