THE RUNDOWN
In the rubber match Sunday afternoon, DBU (11-9, 2-1) obliterated New Mexico State (9-10, 1-2) by a score of 20-2, taking the series 2-1.
Luke Pettitte led the way with seven runs batted in this afternoon, accruing seven total bases as well.
Ryan Borberg,
Liam Watt, and
Michael Benzor combined to hold the Aggies to two runs after NMSU scored 17 the day before.
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Ryan Borberg tossed a scoreless top of the first before the Patriots erupted for five runs in the bottom half.
Luke Pettitte, hitting out of the cleanup spot, cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to the right-center field wall, before coming around to score on a
Ryan Martin single. Martin advanced to third base on a fielding error, allowing
Cooper Neville to bunt him home in the next at-bat. DBU led 5-0 after the first inning.
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Borberg and the Aggies' Bradyn Barnes traded zeros in the second inning, before Steve Solorzano led off the top of the third with a solo shot that traveled over the video board beyond the right field wall. Borberg stranded runners on the corners later in the inning to keep the score at 5-1.
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The Patriots would respond immediately, as
Luke Pettitte launched a home run over the right field wall to lead off the bottom of the third. Pettitte's second big fly of the weekend gave DBU a 6-1 lead after three.
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Solorzano would record his second RBI of the afternoon with a two-out single to right field, scoring Cole Rogers, who led off the inning with a single.
Liam Watt relieved Borberg in the fourth to record the final out of the inning.
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The bottom of the fourth inning was the defining moment of the afternoon, as the Patriots brought home a whopping 12 runs.
Luke Pettitte,
Cooper Neville,
Adam Berghult,
Dylan Cupp, and
Chayton Krauss all produced run-scoring at-bats, with Neville's grand slam as the headliner.
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Liam Watt induced a three-up, three-down frame in the top of the fifth, before
Urim Ibrahimi drove in
Dylan Schlaegel and
Dylan Cupp with a pinch-hit double. After five, the Patriots led 20-2.
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Watt tossed another one-two-three inning in the top of the sixth, before
Michael Benzor was handed the ball in the seventh. Benzor struck out two Aggies in a scoreless seventh inning to seal the run-rule victory and the series win.
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THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- 17 DBU hitters came to the plate in the bottom of the fourth.
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Luke Pettitte is the third Patriot this season with seven or more RBI.
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Jake Bennett received four free passes this afternoon (two walks, two hit by pitches).
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INSIDE THE NUMBERS
20 - The Last time DBU scored 20 or more runs in a single game was March 22, 2025, against Middle Tennessee State (25-7 W).
5 - The last time Patriot hitters were plunked five times in a single game was May 26, 2024, against Louisiana Tech (5).
82.1% -
Liam Watt posted a masterful 82.1% strike percentage this afternoon (23/28).
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ON DECK
The Patriots are set to host Texas Tech (13-5, 2-0 Big 12) at Horner Ballpark on Tuesday night. First pitch is scheduled for 6:35 pm.
