LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The New Mexico State baseball team stays on the road this week as they head to Arizona for three games.
The weekday slate begins with a double header beginning at 12 p.m. MT on Monday, March 20 with Benedictine University at Mesa in Mesa, Ariz.
Following Monday's contests, NM State heads to Tucson to square off against No. 12 Arizona on Tuesday, March 21 at 7 p.m. MT.
WHERE TO WATCH/LISTEN
Aggie fans can watch a live stream of Tuesday's game versus Arizona on ww.pac-12.com/live/university-arizona. Tuesday's contest can also be heard on 91.5 FM KRUX or on
TuneIn Radio as Adam Young will have the call.
GET CONNECTED
Get up to the minute information and news about the NM State baseball team all season on Twitter, and Instagram by following @NMStateBaseball and on Facebook.com/NMSUAthletics.
GET YOUR SEASON TICKETS NOW!
With the start of the 2017 season tickets, Aggie fans can be a part of the action for all 23 home games (including three double-headers) for just $100 per seat. Season tickets will guarantee fans a seat in the reserved section of 104 behind home plate. Fans can purchase 2017 Aggie baseball season tickets by going to the Pan American Center ticket office or by calling 575-646-1420.
LOOKING AT THE REDHAWKS
The Benedictine University at Mesa Redhawks come into Monday's doubleheader sitting at 18-9 on the season. The NAIA team plays in the California Pacific Conference in which the team is 7-2.
The opponent ended a five-game winning streak after dropping their most recent contest to La Sierra, 11-7.
At the plate, the Redhawks are led by Christian Camacho who has a team-leading .409 batting average with four home runs and 23 RBI.
On the mound the team's ace is Skyler Sylvester, a righty who has compiled a record of 4-1 with a 1.30 ERA with 28 strikeouts and zero home runs allowed.
SCOUTING THE WILDCATS
The No. 12 Arizona Wildcats are coming off a 2016 season which saw the team advance to the College Baseball World Series final as they fell, 2-1, to Coastal Carolina. Currently the Wildcats sit at 15-3 this season, winning their last two over Pac-12 opponent UCLA which included a resounding 19-4 victory on Friday, March 17.
The opponent has five batters hitting above .400, led by sophomore outfielder Alfonso Rivas batting .431 with 24 RBI and a team-leading .592 on-base percentage.
The Wildcats pitching staff has compiled a 4.16 ERA through 158.0 innings. The rotation has two pitchers, Cameron Ming and JC Cloney, combine for a 9-0 record. Ming leads the staff with a spotless 0.00 ERA in eight appearances.
So far this season, No. 12 Arizona has outscored opponents to a run total of 190-94 behind an NCAA leading .357 batting average.
ROAD WARRIORS
With the double header on Monday and the matchup with Pac-12 powerhouse Arizona on Tuesday, the Aggies continue their 10-game road stretch which began with a weekend series at Utah, March 10-12, followed by a midweek showdown with BYU on March 14.
GETTING STREAKY
Second baseman
Brent Sakurai is currently on a 12-game hitting-streak, which is the longest on the team this season. The senior has also reached base in 14 consecutive games.
WELCOME TO THE LASER SHOW
The Aggies as a team have been a handful for opposing pitching staffs as the team leads the nation in hits (233) and is third in batting average (.339).
The production at the plate features four Aggies sitting in the top-25 nationally in hits, led by
Joey Ortiz in 6th (31), followed by
Austin Botello and
Brent Sakurai in 14th (29) and
Marcus Still sits in 21st (21).
LAST TIME OUT
To close out the weekend series versus Utah on Sunday, March 12, the Aggies produced their first shutout of the season, defeating the Utes 3-0. The contest saw starter
Jonathan Groff (2-2) throw eight and one-third innings of scoreless ball, as
Ruger Rodriguez then came in to close out the game and earn his fourth save of the year.
Following Sunday's contest, NM State then traveled to Provo, Utah to take on BYU on Tuesday, March 14. This game saw another season first as an 8-6 win for the Aggies was the first midweek victory for the team in 2017.
UP NEXT
After the midweek contests, NM State wraps up its 10-game road swing as they travel to UC Santa Barbara for a three-game weekend series, March 24-26.
