Box Score

LAS CRUCES, N.M. - The University of Hawai`i Rainbow baseball team (28-17, 9-7 WAC) beat the New Mexico State Aggies (19-24, 4-11) 21-6 at Presley Askew Field Friday, posting the most runs by the 'Bows since 1999, when they scored 34 at Air Force. Matt Daly (4-1) pitched 2.1 no-hit innings of relief to get the win. Dillon Smith (3-4) took the loss for NMSU.

Kevin Macdonald led the way, going 3-for-5 with four RBI and four runs. Kris Sanchez added a 2-for-4 game with three RBI, three runs and a home run, while Jonathan Hee was 3-for-4 with four runs, two RBI and a double. Elijah Christensen went 3-for-4 with four runs and a double with Vinnie Catricala going 4-for-5 with two RBI.

The Aggies got on the board in the bottom of the first, scoring on a fielder's choice. Sanchez tied the game with a lead-off home run in the second inning, with the 'Bows taking the lead with a run in the top of the third.

But NMSU came back with another run in the bottom of the third, tying the score at 2-2. They would then take the lead in the bottom of the fifth, as Marcus Quade hit a long double to left, scoring one run. Another NMSU runner tried to score on the play, but was thrown out at the plate. But the Aggies were able to add another run in the inning, pushing their lead to 4-2.

But the Rainbows came up with a big inning in the top of the seventh. Macdonald hit a two-run single to tie it at 4-4. Justin Frash, Sanchez and Evan Zimny also drove in runs in the inning, capping a five-run seventh for the 'Bows, giving them a 7-4 advantage.

Hawai`i then blew it open in the eighth with a 10-run inning that was highlighted by a two-run single by Catricala and a two-run double by Hee, pushing their lead to 17-4. NMSU added a run in the eighth and one in the ninth while UH pushed four more across the plate in the ninth, making the final 21-6.

The two teams continue their series with a doubleheader tomorrow, starting at 2 p.m. (CDT)

-UH-