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Bryce Campbell thought the game was over.
New Mexico State's first baseman for Saturday's series finale against Jacksonville State (23-17, 7-8 Conference USA) had hit a line drive into left field that the Gamecocks' Drew Collins was racing toward. The Aggies (19-21, 7-8 CUSA) trailed 6-5 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Campbell thought he would be caught out when Collins started diving for the ball.
"When I saw it go right at him, I got a little scared," Campbell remarked.
Campbell's worries turned to joy once the ball squeaked past Collins' glove. He knew the game was over. But this time, he knew NM State was coming out on top as his two-run single gave it a 7-6 victory.
The Aggies poured out of the dugout toward Campbell once Steve Solorzano scored the winning run from second base. Campbell met his teammates and jumped around with them from the infield into the outfield. He enjoyed the moment, but quickly entered the dugout to escape the incoming rain.
Campbell knew he had to take advantage of Jax State pitcher Joe Scarborough, who had just walked the last two batters he faced. There was an intentional walk for Solorzano in between, who hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ten out of Scarborough's last 13 pitches were balls when Campbell faced a 2-1 count.
Scarborough was rattled, and Campbell knew it. He predicted Scarbrough's next move would be a challenge pitch in the strike zone and was specifically looking for a sweet spot.
Campbell was correct. He got exactly what he wanted.
"I was just trying to keep it simple," Campbell said. "I was looking for something low and hard, and that's exactly what I got."
Campbell's walk-off completed a three-run ninth inning and saved the game for NM State. The Aggies nearly squandered their victory by allowing three runs from the Gamecocks in the inning's top half and putting them behind 6-4. Joey Craig put NM State one run closer with a sacrifice fly before three walks put Campbell in position to be the hero.
The Aggies still dropped the series to Jax State with defeats on Thursday and Friday, giving NM State a five-game losing streak entering Saturday. But now, the Aggies believe they have momentum for next week's games. NM State looks to avoid a season sweep against rival New Mexico (21-17, 9-8 Mountain West) on the road next Tuesday before hosting Middle Tennessee (18-21, 4-10 CUSA) in a three-game series starting next Friday.
With a month left in the season, maybe a walk-off win is what the Aggies needed to get back on track.
"It's great to salvage the series and get some momentum going into this next week. This is crunch time right now," Campbell said. "It's been a lot of frustration. We're not piecing parts of our game together and losing games you feel like we should win. But we keep grinding. That's part of our identity."
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Bryce Campbell plays the hero for NMSU with walk-off hit vs Jax State
Continue reading...
New Mexico State's first baseman for Saturday's series finale against Jacksonville State (23-17, 7-8 Conference USA) had hit a line drive into left field that the Gamecocks' Drew Collins was racing toward. The Aggies (19-21, 7-8 CUSA) trailed 6-5 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Campbell thought he would be caught out when Collins started diving for the ball.
"When I saw it go right at him, I got a little scared," Campbell remarked.
Campbell's worries turned to joy once the ball squeaked past Collins' glove. He knew the game was over. But this time, he knew NM State was coming out on top as his two-run single gave it a 7-6 victory.
The Aggies poured out of the dugout toward Campbell once Steve Solorzano scored the winning run from second base. Campbell met his teammates and jumped around with them from the infield into the outfield. He enjoyed the moment, but quickly entered the dugout to escape the incoming rain.
Campbell knew he had to take advantage of Jax State pitcher Joe Scarborough, who had just walked the last two batters he faced. There was an intentional walk for Solorzano in between, who hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning. Ten out of Scarborough's last 13 pitches were balls when Campbell faced a 2-1 count.
Scarborough was rattled, and Campbell knew it. He predicted Scarbrough's next move would be a challenge pitch in the strike zone and was specifically looking for a sweet spot.
Campbell was correct. He got exactly what he wanted.
"I was just trying to keep it simple," Campbell said. "I was looking for something low and hard, and that's exactly what I got."
Campbell's walk-off completed a three-run ninth inning and saved the game for NM State. The Aggies nearly squandered their victory by allowing three runs from the Gamecocks in the inning's top half and putting them behind 6-4. Joey Craig put NM State one run closer with a sacrifice fly before three walks put Campbell in position to be the hero.
The Aggies still dropped the series to Jax State with defeats on Thursday and Friday, giving NM State a five-game losing streak entering Saturday. But now, the Aggies believe they have momentum for next week's games. NM State looks to avoid a season sweep against rival New Mexico (21-17, 9-8 Mountain West) on the road next Tuesday before hosting Middle Tennessee (18-21, 4-10 CUSA) in a three-game series starting next Friday.
With a month left in the season, maybe a walk-off win is what the Aggies needed to get back on track.
"It's great to salvage the series and get some momentum going into this next week. This is crunch time right now," Campbell said. "It's been a lot of frustration. We're not piecing parts of our game together and losing games you feel like we should win. But we keep grinding. That's part of our identity."
This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Bryce Campbell plays the hero for NMSU with walk-off hit vs Jax State
Continue reading...
