OREM, Utah – Utah Valley scored seven runs over the final four innings but couldn't complete the comeback, as New Mexico State held on to win game two of Saturday's doubleheader, 10-7, on UVU's Senior Day at UCCU Ballpark. The Wolverines claimed the first game of the Saturday's twin bill by a score of 4-2, however, behind a complete-game victory from Mason Gray.
 
The senior Alexander Marco and Jake Plecas both homered for the second time on the day in Saturday's nightcap, while freshman Kyle Coburn added his first collegiate home run during the late innings for UVU in game two. Marco blasted out a solo shot with one out in the bottom of the ninth to pull the Wolverines (8-38, 6-25 WAC) with three, but NM State reliever Nick Rogers responded by retiring two of the next three batters he faced to seal the victory for the defending WAC champion Aggies (19-26, 16-15 WAC).
 
"We came out a bit sluggish in this second game, but our guys did a nice job of punching back and capitalizing on opportunities late. Their pitcher was tough (NMSU's Sammy Natera) but we made some changes, and those guys did a nice job for us off the bench," interim head coach David Carter said. "I'm proud of Dawson Day for coming up big for us in relief as well as our offense for having some great at-bats late in this one. Hopefully we can take that momentum over to tomorrow (Sunday) and come away with the split."
 
Scoreless in the third, the Aggies struck first with five runs in the top of the frame to take a 5-0 advantage. Zerek Saenz and Zach Smits both had RBI knocks in the inning and Ethan Mann delivered the big hit in the frame with a three-run home run to right to help NM State jump out the early lead. 
 
The Wolverines then got a pair of runners aboard in the bottom of the third following back-to-back one-out walks from Tavyn Lords and Mitch Moralez, but NM State starter Sammy Natera responded by retiring the next two hitters he faced to strand the runners. 
 
New Mexico State then tacked on a run in the fourth on a double steal attempt and added three more in the fifth to extend its lead to 9-0.
 
With NM State's Natera still pitching strong into the sixth, UVU loaded the bases in the bottom of the frame and Jake Plecas managed to work a bases-loaded walk to bring in senior Kade Poulsen from third and make it 9-1. Poulsen started the inning with a ground-rule double to left center, Jeff Arens followed by working a walk and Kase Ogata was hit by a pitch to load the bases.
 
After the Aggies tacked on an insurance in the seventh, UVU freshman Kyle Coburn blasted out his first collegiate home run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 10-2 contest. Coburn's big fly cleared the fence in right center with one out in the frame for a solo shot. 
 
The Wolverines then added four more runs in the eighth to pull within four at 10-6. Arens started the inning with a lead-off double and Ogata followed with a single to put runners on the corners with nobody out. Trey Newman then plated them both with a two-run double to right center to make it 10-4. After homering earlier in the day in the first game of the twin bill, Plecas then followed by blasting out his second round-tripper of the afternoon with a two-run shot to right to pull the Wolverines within four.
 
The senior Marco then added his second home run of the day, and team-leading ninth of the year, with one out in the ninth to make things interesting. Ogata later recorded his second hit of the contest with a single to right, but NMSU reliever Rogers got Newman to flyout to end the ballgame. 
 
Ogata led UVU offensively by going a perfect 2-for-2 with a run scored off the bench, while Plecas went 1-for-3 with three RBIs and home run. Newman also drove in two runs for UVU while Coburn and Marco both homered. Tommy Tabek paced NMSU by going 3-for-4 with a pair of RBIs and Mann finished with a 1-for-2 outing with four RBIs and two walks. 
 
NM State's Natera went 5.2 inning and surrendered just two hits and one run while striking out 10 to improve to 2-2 on the year. UVU's Bobby Voortmeyer was tagged with the loss to fall to 2-7. 
 
The day marked Senior Day for Utah Valley, as UVU honored Marco, Poulsen, Jesse Schmit and Spenser Triplett in between Saturday's contests.
 
"These are four outstanding seniors. They have all done a great job and have made a commitment to help our program," Carter added. "Kade and Zander have been great throughout their careers offensively for us and Jesse and Spenser have been solid on the mound. These are four great individuals, and we are grateful for everything they have done for Utah Valley baseball."
 
To read about the first game of Saturday's twin bill, click HERE.
 
UVU will look for the series split on Sunday. Sunday's home finale will begin at 12 p.m. at UCCU Ballpark.