LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Aggies are 9-1 for the first time since 2011.

Senior righty Chance Hroch went seven strong and struck out five, keeping Purdue Fort Wayne's bats at bay in NM State's 4-2 win Friday night at Presley Askew Field.

With the victory, first-year head coach Mike Kirby's Aggies matched the best 10-game start to a season in program history. NM State has won nine of its first 10 contests three previous times, most recently doing so during the 2011 campaign under skipper Rocky Ward, as well as in the 2003 and 2009 seasons.

HOW IT HAPPENED
NM State scored runs across the first three innings, staking Hroch with support early in the ballgame.

Senior first baseman Tristan Peterson knocked in junior infielder Nick Gonzales, who extended his on-base streak to 76 games, for the first Aggie run of the day in the opening frame.

After the Mastodons tied the game at one in the top of the second, junior outfielder Noah Haupt launched an opposite-field homer - his second dinger of the year - over the wall in the left to put NM State ahead, 2-1, headed into the third.

The Aggies would not lose the lead again, as Hroch efficiently worked his way through the 'Dons' lineup. The Temecula, Calif., native threw 75 pitches in seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five to earn his second win of the season.

The NM State offense tacked on insurance runs in the bottom of the third and fifth. Sophomore infielder Kevin Jimenez's double to left in the third scored junior infielder Zach Smits, who later picked up an RBI of his own in the fifth.

Smits, whose single to left center brought home Peterson, finished the night with a team-high three hits.

Senior righty Mitchell Allen relieved Hroch to start the eighth and worked two scoreless innings. He did not allow a baserunner, striking out three en route to locking down the 4-2 win and recording his first career save 

COACH KIRBY'S TAKE
On Hroch's outing
"Chance really pounded the zone and had all of his pitches working. He got us deep into the game tonight."

On the Aggies' defense
"It was spectacular. The left side of the infield was really on every pitch and got some great jumps on balls. They made some difficult plays look pretty easy." 

On the Aggies' offensive philosophy
"I like to let the guys swing the bats early and get comfortable. Smits had a great night and got off to a good start early. I challenged him to get off on the right foot in his first at-bat, and he did that."

On the bullpen emerging as a strength
"They really did step up on Tuesday [at #8 Arizona State] and showed us what they look like when they're really dialed in. I thought Mitchell came out and did a great job tonight."

UP NEXT
The series with the 'Dons rolls on tomorrow with two games at The 'Skew.

Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon. Sunday's series finale, meanwhile, is scheduled for 11 a.m.

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