NM State baseball drops fifth straight game after 14-8 loss to Missouri State

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – NM State showed flashes offensively but could not slow Missouri State’s big sixth inning, falling 14-8 on Friday morning at Route 66 Stadium in the opener of the three‑game series. With the loss, NM State drops to 19-29 overall and 8-17 in Conference USA play.

The Aggies struck first in the second as Tommy Meluskey lifted a sacrifice fly to score Aidan Lombardi. NM State added another in the fourth when Boston Vest homered to left, briefly putting the Aggies back in front. The Aggies’ biggest push came in the sixth, erupting for five runs highlighted by a two‑run double from Jonatan Clough, a two‑run home run from Lombardi, and an RBI single from Aidan Taclas to take an 8-5 lead.

Missouri State responded immediately with a decisive nine‑run bottom of the sixth, reclaiming control and turning the game in its favor. NM State added one more run in the ninth on a solo home run from Easton Rulli, but could not close the gap.

Clough finished with two hits and two RBIs, while Lombardi went 3‑for‑4 with two RBIs and two runs scored as NM State totaled 11 hits in the series opener.

NOTABLES

• With his home run on Friday, Aidan Lombardi has now hit a home run in two of the Aggies’ last three games after going deep against Liberty last Sunday. Before this, Lombardi had recorded just two home runs in his first 30 games this season.
• Lombardi tallied seven total bases to mark a new season high for the senior.