Box Score | Box Score (HTML) | Game Highlights (Courtesy of OC Sports TV)

HONOLULU – The University of Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors (8-15) baseball team struggled to get started offensively in the third game of the series with New Mexico State (4-16-1) on Saturday (March 21) at Les Murakami Stadium, and fell short on a late-inning comeback in the 6-3 loss.

The opening exchange appeared to be a sound start for the 'Bows defense, but an early second inning ball lost in the right field lights set the tone for UH in the second, and set off five consecutive Aggies reaching base safely. In total, the Aggies logged four runs in the frame off six (6) hits.

NMSU followed up in the third, logging three straight batters on base to retire starter Kyle Von Ruden for his shortest appearance of the season at 2.1 innings. With bases loaded and one out, Joshua Pigg allowed a single run in relief, settling things down defensively for the 'Bows, trailing 5-0.

Pigg made his longest appearance of the year, putting in 3.2 innings of work without any further runs allowed. The junior newcomer took his exit after the sixth, taking a line drive to the body on the final out of the frame.

Although NMSU starter Matt Loeffler pitched a solid outing, the 'Bows capitalized late to get back within striking distance. As Loeffler crossed the century pitch threshold, shortstop Jacob Sheldon-Collins reached on a fielder's choice, and right fielder Alan Baldwin took his base as a hit batsman with two outs. Center fielder Kaeo Aliviado followed with a single deep in the pocket at second base, loading the bases. First baseman Eric Ramirez sent two runners to the plate on a single inside the second baseman's reach, and Aliviado scored on an off-target throw from the center fielder, narrowing the deficit to 5-3.

The Aggies added an insurance run in the top of the ninth and went with their closer, Billy Conard in the bottom half. Conard secured the win and his second save of the series, throwing strikes on 12-of-13 pitches to close the contest with a 6-3 final.

Von Ruden (1-2) takes the loss, allowing eight (8) hits and four (4) earned runs in 2.1 innings, walking one (1) and striking out two (2).

Loeffler (1-0) earned the win, throwing 7.2 innings with seven (7) hits and two (2) earned runs allowed, striking out one (1) and walking two (2).

Offensively, Aliviado led the charge, hitting 3-for-4 with one (1) run scored. Ramirez was 1-for-3 with the pair of RBI.

New Mexico State leads the series 2-1, with the finale set for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch on Sunday (March 22) at Les Murakami Stadium. The game will be broadcast on the radio on ESPN Honolulu 1420 AM.