LAS CRUCES, N.M. – UTSA Baseball wrapped up its stay in the Land of Enchantment on Sunday, visiting New Mexico State for the final installment of a three-game series. With the series already in their pocket, the Roadrunners eyed a sweep and their second seven-game winning streak of 2026. However, the Aggies came away with a 5-4 win, handing UTSA (13-2) its first weekend loss of the season.
SECOND INNING
Caden Miller started things off from the five hole, belting a leadoff solo home run. The first baseman went deep to right-center field, opening the scoring on Sunday. On the mound for UTSA was Kendall Dove, picking up his fourth start of 2026. The junior utilized a double play to exit the frame, not allowing a hit following the first pitch of the afternoon.
THIRD INNING
The Aggies answered in the home half with a leadoff double, later drawing a walk. An RBI groundout knotted the affair at one run apiece, marking the first tie of the series.
FOURTH INNING
Following a quiet trip to the plate for the visitors, the Aggies grabbed their bats. A one-out walk was eventually advanced to second on a groundout. With two away, NM State took its first lead on a home run to left field.
FIFTH INNING
With Dove’s day on the mound finished after four innings, James Hubbard took over. An Aggie was hit by a pitch before being caught stealing at second base. With two away, the home side produced another home run, expanding its lead to 4-1. Freshman Jake Qualia then came in, exiting the inning with a quick popup.
SIXTH INNING
Drew Detlefsen wasted no time cutting into the deficit, sending the first pitch of the sixth to opposite field and over the wall in right. The senior’s sixth home run of the season pulled his side within two. Lane Haworth then sent a double to the corner in right, later advancing to third on a deep fly ball. Caden Miller sent his right fielder home on a single up the middle, drawing back within one at 4-3. Diego Diaz knotted things up on the next at-bat, sending Miller 270 feet around the basepaths with a friendly-bouncing double.
EIGHTH INNING
After coming in at the end of the seventh, Sam Simmons geared up for his second inning of work. A leadoff single was advanced twice on consecutive ground balls, making way for a run-scoring bunt single to hand the hosts the lead at 5-4.
NINTH INNING
Diego Diaz reached safely on his second hit of the day, moving to second after Garrett Gruell was hit by a pitch. Following two straight Roadrunner outs, Drew Detlefsen was intentionally walked to leave the bases loaded for Lane Haworth. A groundout to the shifting Aggie second baseman put an end to the tightest contest of UTSA’s season at 5-4.
NUMBERS OF NOTE
- UTSA is still tied for its best start through 15 games in program history, matching the 1994 squad’s 13-2 mark.
- The ‘Runners failed to score 10 or more runs for the fifth time this season.
- UTSA is now 13-0 when drawing at least four walks, but dropped to 0-2 on the season when walking three times or less.
- UTSA fell to 9-3 all-time against NM State, dipping to 4-2 in Las Cruces.
- Caden Miller led the way with three hits on Sunday, scoring two runs and driving in two more.
- Diego Diaz was the lone other Roadrunner to tally multiple hits, with one of his two landing for a double.
- Two strikeouts thrown were the fewest in a single game from UTSA this year.
UP NEXT
Following their series with the Aggies, the Roadrunners will trek east to Lubbock, Texas, for a two-game midweek clash at Texas Tech. The Red Raiders (10-4) will host the back-to-back 6 p.m. first pitches from Dan Law Field at Rip Griffin Park on Tuesday and Wednesday. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+ and available to follow via utsa.statbroadcast.com.
-UTSA-