Las Cruces, N.M.- Western Illinois struggled offensively in a 9-1 loss to NM State on Friday night at Presley Askew Field in Las Cruces, N.M. The Leathernecks were held scoreless through eight innings before finally breaking through in the ninth but couldn't overcome New Mexico State's early lead.
The Leathernecks managed just five hits in the game, with their lone run coming in the final inning. Tyler Large had a double in the ninth inning and scored Western Illinois' only run. Justin Bogard recorded the team's only RBI, driving in Large in the ninth.
On the mound, starter Max Tripure pitched five innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out six. However, Western Illinois' bullpen struggled, surrendering six runs over the next three innings.
Defensively, the Leathernecks played cleanly, committing no errors, but they couldn't contain NM State's bats, as the Aggies hit two home runs and a triple.
With the loss, Western Illinois falls to 0-3 on the season and will look to rebound tomorrow for game two of the series. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
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