Gonzaga University
New Mexico State
No. 29 Bulldogs Blast Aggies, 14-4
2/18/2006 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
Feb. 18, 2006
LAS CRUCES, NM - A day after losing their first game as a ranked team since 1981, the 29th-ranked Gonzaga University Bulldogs (7-2) blasted New Mexico State University, 14-4, to even the three game series with the Aggies (4-5) in Las Cruces. The two teams will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday afternoon.
After falling behind 1-0 on a Luke Hopkins RBI single, Gonzaga scored seven runs in the second inning chasing Aggies starter Frankie Duran (0-1) from the game with two outs in the frame. Aaron McGuinness started the big inning with a two-run home run to left with two outs. Scott Campbell followed two batters later with an RBI double. Jackson Brennan followed Campbell with his third home run of the season and the route was on. Bobby Carlson closed out the second with a two-run single up the middle.
Clayton Mortensen looked strong for the Bulldogs working six innings to improve to 2-1. He allowed only three runs while striking out 8 New Mexico State batters. Jay Bryner and Brandon Harmon closed out the final three innings. Abe Aguirre was the top New Mexico State hitter going 3-for-5 with two RBI. Hopkins also had two hits.
Gonzaga tacked on seven insurance runs in the top of the seventh against the New Mexico State bullpen. Darin Holcomb opened the seven run outburst with a two-run single up the middle. Shawn Wayt drew a bases loaded walk to produce the Bulldogs third run and Bobby Carlson cleared the sacks with his second homer in as many days with a grand slam to left.
Carlson finished 4-for-5 with 5 RBI while Holcomb was 2-for-6 with 3 RBI. Campbell extended his hitting streak to 13 games with two hits. Brennan also had three hits for GU.
