Box Score April 15, 2006
Box Score
LAS CRUCES, NM - The Aggies scored six runs in the first two innings and never looked back as they defeated North Florida 9-3 on Saturday night at Presley Askew Field. UNF (20- 19) has now dropped five out of its last eight games.
Jason Conner (2-2) had a no-hitter going into the fifth inning and tossed seven innings, struck out five Osprey hitters, allowed four hits and three earned runs to earn his second win of the season. Aggies' second baseman Jason Long led the offense with a 2- for-4 performance at the plate with three RBIs.
Ryan Amason (4-5)struck out five hitters, but was tagged for eight runs in five innings as he took the loss for UNF.
For the second straight game the Aggies jumped on the Ospreys in the first inning as Abe Aguirre and Brandon Lance had back-to-back RBI singles up the middle to give NMSU an early 2-0 advantage.
New Mexico State added four more runs in the second inning as Brian Harvey scored on a wild pitch and Long followed with a two-RBI triple to gap in right center field. One batter later Aguirre picked up his second RBI of the game with a groundout to third that sent Long across the plate.
NMSU extend its lead to 7-0 in the bottom of the fourth inning as Long tallied his third RBI of the game with single to center field that scored Vince Rodden.
The Ospreys were threatening to get on the board in the top of the fifth inning as Brandon Diaz drew a walk and Chad Knight singled to center field for the first UNF hit of the game. However, Conner worked his way out of the jam by striking out Grant Rogers and getting Damon Olinto to pop-out to third.
NMSU designated hitter Derek Maytubby gave the Aggies an 8-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo home run over the wall in left.
UNF broke through in the top of the seventh inning with three runs. Jonathan Hodach led off the inning with a double to right center and catcher James Belyea reached on a fielder's choice. They each came around to score on a two-RBI double off of the wall in right field by Diaz and third baseman Grant Rogers sent Diaz home with an RBI single to left field.
The Ospreys tried to chip away at the Aggies' lead in the top of the eighth inning as they had runners on first and second with nobody out, but NMSU relief pitcher Brian Gausman struck out Hodach and induced groundball-outs on Belyea and Jimmy Glanville to end the threat.
The Ospreys and Aggies will conclude the series tomorrow afternoon at 3:05 EST. Southpaw Brad Johnson (4-1) will get the starting assignment for UNF, while right-hander Dillion Smith (3-4) will toe the rubber for NMSU.
