NM State Aggies Men’s and Women’s Basketball 2-13 to 3-5-20

This recap is not timely and a bit out-of-place, but I wanted to go ahead and list the final regular season games in March with this.

2-13-20

WBB Aggies @ Seattle U Redhawks

The Men’s and Women’s games were both on video at the same time.  Unfortunately, I was pretty busy at work and not really able to watch.  The first thing I saw in this game was the SU Cheerleaders, specifically one Cheerleader who had no arms.  None.  Yeah, I’m sure.  I counted.  Well, I’m going to leave that lie there without further comment. 

Still no Gia Pack for the Aggies for this game.  Kamira Sanders for the Redhawks was still very hot.  Her and Aaliyah Prince led their teams with 19 points each, but SU led the whole game and won 67-57.  A cooler of Powerade at the Aggie bench was harmed during the game and a cleanup was necessary.

MBB Aggies vs Seattle U Redhawks

Trevelin Queen was back from his surgery for this game, but was clearly not 100%.  Just to even it out, Terrell Brown was injured during the game.  Ivan Aurrecoechea was also suffering from a minor injury.  The Student Section looked a bit deserted tonight.  I missed the Wiener Dog race at halftime.  Man, I felt bad about that. 

As for the game, the Aggies kept building up leads (two of 11 points each), only to see SU come back and make it close again.  Very late in the game, the Terrell Brown that plays for the Redhawks made a steal on a bad Evan Gilyard pass and got a layup as part of his 16 points.  The Aggie lead was cut to four, but that was as close as it got.  72-62 Aggies was the final.

Gilyard and Jabari Rice both got 10 points.  Ivan Aurrecoechea got 11, mostly on free throws.  However, the night belonged to Johnny McCants.  He got a critical block and a rebound at the end of the game.  McCants had 18 rebounds, 14 points, and a couple of highlight reel dunks.

2-15-20

WBB Aggies @ Utah State Wolverines

Gia Pack was still out, but the Aggies won this one, 65-57.  Didi Echols led with 19 points.

MBB Aggies vs Utah State Wolverines

I was listening to this game on the radio while at an Aggie Softball game.  Terrell Brown was out for this game.  Trevelin Queen was playing, but still not in his usual high-scoring form.  It was a tight game all the way through.  Let’s just cut to the play that this game will be remembered for.  The Aggies were down by one with six seconds left.  Jabari Rice heaved a last second three-pointer for his 29-th point of the game.  It banked directly into the basket for the 84-82 win. 

The crowd went completely insane.  Jack Nixon, calling the game, was in shock.  Justin Hawkins summed it up best, “That was a no-pressure shot.  If you miss it, nobody expected you to make it.  If you make it, you’re a hero.”  

2-22-20 MBB Aggies vs UTRGV Vaqueros

This was the second Pack the Pan-Am game for the season.  A local business, who didn’t get in the on the first one, bought a bunch of tickets, so the university decided to offer up a bunch more low-cost tickets.  Thanks to ticket sales, this game was on TV, but I mostly listened to the radio broadcast.  There were a few empty seats, but it was pretty packed.  The Aggies had beaten the Vaqueros last month, but both teams were missing their best players then.  Vaqueros were coming in hot on a winning streak.  This was also the Hall of Fame induction game, as mentioned at today’s baseball game.  

The Men have locked up the number one seed at WAC Tournament, as Cal Baptist isn’t eligible, but needed to win one more to secure a regular season title.  Terrell Brown was available to play tonight (that would turn out well).  On the radio pregame it was mentioned that the Women’s team lost this afternoon on the road 74-63.  They are not in good shape for the tournament.  AD Mario Moccia came on and announced that the Pan-Am Center would be getting a new scoreboard thanks to some state funding.  That should be nice. 

The Aggies started off slow.  It was 9-2 UTRGV at the first break, as Aggie shots weren’t falling in.  It was 12-5 at next break with 11 minutes left, but the Aggies started a comeback.  At 14-10 there was a flagrant foul, as Ivan Aurrecoechea was hit in the face.  (“Not the face!” he said, “That’s my money-maker!”)  The Aggies hustled on the next possession even while not getting the shots to go in.  They got four bites of the apple with three offensive rebounds, before McCants got one under the basket and a foul, 14-13.  Jabari Rice put in a jumper for the lead.  Trevelin Queen got a rejection on the other end.  Evan Gilyard then put in a three.  18-14 Aggies. 

It was up to 22-16 Aggies with four minutes left.  A verbal scrum ensued after a foul away from the ball.  A charging Vaqueros player had dropped a ball on a prone Ivan provoking some words.  After a review, there were two technical handed to UTRGV and one to Terrell that offset one of them.  The Aggies then went on a tear.  Queen hit a three.  Ivan had an alley oop dunk with an assist from Johnny McCants.  With two minutes left, the Aggies were up 12.  Terrell was fouled on a three attempt and made all three free throws.  He then followed that up with a made three.  It was 39-25 Aggies at the half.

Terrell started the second half with a three.  I think he’s feeling okay.  McCants then took a hard foul on a layup attempt and took a shot to the face.  These UTRGV guys are mean girls.  The offending Vaquero player, Javon Levi, was boo’d for the rest of the game whenever he touched the ball.  However, UTRGV drilled three three’s in a row to cut a 17-point lead down to 8.  Another Vaquero three cut it to five, 51-46, with 11 minutes left. 

The Aggies got their wind back.  Ivan made a pretty layup.  This was followed up by a Jabari three, a Terrell layup, another Jabari three, and a McCants’ dunk.  64-50 Aggies with seven minutes left.  Terrell put in another three.  Queen had his headband off late for some reason.  (It’s not the NBA finals, Trev.  Don’t go all Lebron.)  Maybe it improved his aim as he dropped in another three.  In short, it rained Aggies.  78-62 Aggies win and are the WAC regular season champs.  Good thing the WAC commissioner was there to hand out that trophy. 

I think your stat of the game was the Aggies outrebounding the Vaqueros 40 to 21.  Jabari Rice had another great game with 20.  Terrell Brown had 18 in a great comeback from his injury, and then, GD it!  I think he hurt himself again cutting down a piece of the net in celebration.  It’s been that kind of year. 

2-27-20

I was at work and sick and buried in work.  I sort of watched or listened to these games, but had no time or strength to take notes.

WBB vs GCU Lopes

The Aggies won 69-58.  They had four players in double figures scoring and that was without Gia Pack playing.  Adrianna Henderson had a career high with 15 points.  Freshman Soufia Inoussa had 14.  The ladies really stepped it up to defend their home court.  Gia is hoping to play on Saturday, her last game at the Pan-Am Center.

MBB @ GCU Lopes

Different venue, but another blowout, 67-53 Aggies.  This one was never in doubt from what I heard.  Jabari Rice led with 16 points.  What was really encouraging was Trevelin Queen’s 14.  I think he’s back in form (and he’s dispensed with the headband from the pictures I saw).  The Aggies completely dominated the boards, 48 to 26.  Coach Jans was a little down on himself for not playing more reserves earlier in the second half. 

2-29-20 MBB @ CSU-Bakersfield Roadrunners

This is shameful to write.  After a long day at Aggie Women’s Basketball and a long late lunch, I came home and started writing up the game while watching a goofy movie.  When I went to bed late that night, I suddenly started; I had forgotten all about the Men’s game that evening. 

Granted that the guys weren’t actually playing for anything.  They’ve already won the WAC regular season championship.  I was also kind of enjoying the goofy movie (King Solomon’s Mines from the 80’s), so I probably just would have had the radio on the background and kept the movie on.  Regardless, I felt like such a bad fan that it kept me awake for a while.  I wasn’t able to find out who won until the next day.  The Aggies turned in great defensive effort against a high-powered Roadrunner offense and won 62-46.  Johnny McCants and Trevelin Queen led with 14 and 12 points respectively. 

It’s very encouraging that the Aggies were able to play lockdown defense on the road in a game that didn’t matter.  Hopefully nobody got hurt in this game.  I will try to do better as a fan.

3-5-20 MBB vs Cal Baptist Lancers

While the Aggies had already secured winning the WAC regular season and the #1 seed at the tournament by going undefeated in conference, they had stuff to play for tonight.  One, it was Senior Day.  You don’t want to lose with your family there or the last time you’re playing on your home court.  Two, this game was against the #2 in conference, CBU.  They’re not eligible for the tournament this season, but they’re a good team.  Three, there have only been two other teams that have ever gone undefeated for the regular season in the WAC.  Fourth, the Aggies currently own the longest winning streak in the nation.

No pressure.

The pregame show with Jack Nixon featured some interesting conversation.  Forgive the non-basketball sidebar here, but I have few opportunities to write on this subject.  The Aggie Track team won the WAC Indoor Championship for the first time ever.  (In like 35 years?  Sorry, I didn’t write it down at the time.  It’s been a while in any case.)  Jack interviewed a couple of the athletes.  One of them said, “I didn’t entirely meet my expectations.”  Jack: “Where did you finish?”  “First,” was her answer. 

The coach was pretty happy with the recognition.  He had told the team they could celebrate until the bus trip back home was over, then it was back to work.  Adam Young had interviewed him on the Coach’s Show yesterday.  He asked, “How did you do it?”  Coach: “Can I say this now that we won?  We kicked their butts.”  The facilities for his team might be charitably described as “quaint.”  He tried to fix them up a bit when he took over the team, a process he described as “putting lipstick on a pig.”  The team was honored out on court during the game. 

AD Mario Moccia was particularly pleased with the Track championship.  When a local TV sports station went out to the team practice track, Mario had to shoo them away from it and from showing what poor condition it was in from being a public-use facility.  National news had been made that Chicago State and UMKC had both cancelled travel to Seattle U because of the Corona-virus and forfeited their games.  Some far they’ve been the only DI schools that I know of that have cancelled games.  Mario didn’t seem to approve.  I can see cash-strapped CS and soon to leave the conference, UMKC, cancelling for other reasons.  The Cougars are the Aggies’ first round opponent in the WAC tournament.  Mario said they needed to know if they’re coming, otherwise they want to schedule a pickup game to stay sharp.

Mario also mentioned that the Baseball team was playing #20 Texas A&M this weekend.  He said, if you multiplied his budget by 10, they’d still have more.  He also crowed about the Softball team beating Houston last week.  Mario told the story that the team had gone down 8-0 in the first inning and Houston started heckling them.  An unnamed player (I’m suspecting Nikki Butler) called an impromptu team motivational meeting.  The Aggie girls went on to win 10-8. 

Coach Jans apologized to the fans that he was holding team Senior ceremony after the game.  He said otherwise players might be too emotional to play.  (He’s seen it before.)  Given that there are six seniors (Ivan Aurrecoechea, CJ Bobbitt, Terrell Brown, Shunn Buchanan, AJ Harris, and Trevelin Queen), that could be nearly half the team in tears before the game.  The crowd for tonight’s game was 7,000+.  That’s basically capacity when they don’t open up the rafters.  There wasn’t any big promotion that I know of, so that was a really good crowd.  They sounded loud and enthusiastic for the game.  There was one notable absence.  I did not hear PA Ed Carnathan.  It was the Softball PA (whose name I really did try to get when I met him) working the mic tonight.  He did a good job in Ed’s absence.

First half

The seniors all started the game (except for AJ, who’s still injured).  They didn’t disappoint.  Queen hit a three as part of a 5-0 Aggies start.  The CBU coach called a quick timeout.  He must have seen something he didn’t like or had some real ominous foreboding.  It got worse for the Lancers.  Trev had a pair of steals.  Terrell hit a three.  Shunn had a steal.  It was 9-1.  Bobbitt put in a three, 12-1.  There was a block by Jabari Rice.  Queen hit another three, 15-1. 

Well, this was just getting silly.  The CBU coach got a technical foul, but I really doubt the referees were the cause of the Lancers’ troubles.  Their two best players did acquire two fouls each.  Milan Acquaah (with the unforgettable name) was briefly on the bench, but had to come back in to try and stop the bleeding. 

11 minutes left, Terrell hit another three to make it 23-3 Aggies.  Shunn had another steal, which led to a CJ basket.  Terrell made his third three.  29-9 with seven minutes left.  Evan Gilyard came in and hit a three.  Trev hit a pair of threes and had a dunk off a turnover.  It was 46-20 Aggies at the half.  Hmm, I think all I did here was list Aggie scoring.  That’s my kind of game.

During the second half, I switched over to watching the Women’s game, which was going on at the same time, but checked back periodically.  I gather it was more of the same back at the Pan-Am Center.  I just missed the Aggies running off three dunks in a row late.  They may have had a 40-point lead at that point.  With five minutes left, the seniors were brought off the court individually.  CBU was resting their star players for their Saturday game. 

The local boys, Bryce Rewalt and Tennessee Owens, came in.  Bryce may have had the play of the game.  He missed the front end of a one-and-one.  CBU thought it was two shots and didn’t try to get the ball.  Bryce charged in, got the rebound, and made a layup.  The crowd loved it and the 83-50 Aggies final score.

How did the Aggies do it?  They shot 50% to CBU’s 29%.  That might be enough to beat anybody, but, as I said earlier, there was a special confluence of events tonight.  The Aggies had five players in double figures.  Trevelin Queen led with 19.  Shunn Buchanan had no points, but had four steals and was all over the court helping.  This was a great performance for this season’s team to exit their home court with.  During the Senior ceremony, Coach Jans saluted the crowd who stayed for it.  He said it said something about your character to do that.

3-5-20 WBB @ Cal Baptist Lancers

On the other end of the spectrum, I joined this game in progress in the third quarter over the WAC Digital Network.  The Aggies were losing badly by about 20.  Gia Pack was still not available.  I do think she’ll be playing the tournament or at least try.  In the fourth quarter, the team made a bit of a comeback and played hard to the end, but they were down too far.  82-70 CBU was the final. 

Four Aggies finished in double figures, including Soufia Inoussa, who led with 14 points, but they were outrebounded 50-31 and 22-3 in offensive rebounds.  I’ve been concerned about the team missing Gia’s rebounding.  Once again (1-2-20), I couldn’t help but notice that the Lancer team was pretty good-looking.  Cutie, Georgia Dale had 27 points and six threes.  Another thing I noticed was that the team had an enormous number of Cheerleaders.  It seemed like they filled one side of the stands.  Here’s hoping Gia is able to play and contribute next week in the tournament.  

NM State Aggies vs Perdue-Fort Wayne Mastodons Baseball 3-1-20

I’d had this series circled on my calendar since it came out on the schedule.  At last, an opportunity to see the Mastodons!  I had heard of the Perdue-Fort Wayne team at some point last year and became fascinated with their nickname.  It’s about as original as you can get with a team name without being ridiculous, like the Baby Cakes for example.  (RIP.  I wonder what New Orleans is going to be doing for baseball this year.)

Unfortunately, the scheduling didn’t agree with my time this weekend.  I didn’t take time off for the Friday game.  I missed the Saturday double header to go to Senior Day for Women’s Basketball.  I don’t regret that since I saw an overtime Aggie win and got a cool giveaway t-shirt, but I did miss Nick Gonzales hitting five freaking home runs over those two games.

The weather forecast for Sunday’s early game was not encouraging.  Also, the last two weekends, they’d suddenly changed the times for the Sunday games casting the scheduled time in doubt.  Fortunately, it was only cool and overcast to start the morning.  I did have an umbrella with me just in case.  Ron picked me up along with his friend Jenny.  When we got to the parking lot it was full, so we were there at the right time. 

The crowd inside was okay, but got better after the game started.  The Diamond Club only had few people there though.  It was dog day.  There was an adorable Corgi-ish pooch down in front.  He was barking at the Mastodons, so we knew that he was an Aggie dog.  The Aggies on the field were in their whites, but with cool digi-desert camo hats.  I’d show up early for a giveaway on those or something close to it.  A couple of the guys were throwing around a football. 

I’m not going to rehash my sob story from the basketball game, but former Aggie Soccer star Aileen Galicia was working at the game for the marketing department instead of Emerson.  I sort of expected this.  Anyone in that degree plan ends up working at the ballpark at some point.  I wasn’t seeing her constantly in front of me like I was at the Pan-Am Center yesterday, so it wasn’t as depressing.  (Not that I’m complaining about seeing a beautiful young woman in any case.)             

Egad!  The scorecards added up on the first try.  Going back to yesterday’s basketball scorecard, this is a two-game streak, my longest ever.  Granted there might some discrepancies with the official scoring due to a couple of judgment calls.  I did consult the rule book later where I wasn’t sure.

Chris Jefferson started for the Aggies, who was un-scored upon in his first two starts.  The top of the first was quick, like PFW (Perdue-Fort Wayne) was in a rush to make a flight.  There was no radio call, but there was TV, which might have said if there was a curfew.  Aileen came down to take a picture of the Corgi for the team Twitter.  A white hound dog came in, who also got his picture taken.  The dogs seemed friendly with each other.  In the Aggie half of the frame, Zerek Saenz got on via a high throwing error by the shortstop.  Nick singled, but a strikeout and a double play ended the inning.

The top of the second was even quicker.  The Mastodons were swinging away on the first pitch.  The sun came out a bit.  The crowd was unnaturally reverently quiet.  Perhaps everyone was worried nothing would happen in this game.  After two quick outs, Noah Haupt and his Major League-level beard (as the TV commentary dubbed on Friday) singled.  A walk and a single up the middle by Tommy Tabak drove Noah in.  1-0 Aggies.  I saw my co-worker, Jessie, come in.  I’ve seen him here a couple of times this season.  I’ve called him the Mayor because everywhere he goes he’s smiling, shaking hands, and chatting with people.  Today was no exception, as Jessie went around to several people in the stadium.

The announced temperature for the game was in the 60’s.  Back in Fort Wayne, Indiana, it was 42 degrees.  The Mastodons did have some fans with them.  It was $1 hot dog day.  Ron and Jenny would get up to go to the Concessions to clean them out.  The Corgi didn’t want his owner’s offered doggie treat and was instead barking for his hot dog.  (The dog clearly has no taste in food.)

After two strikeouts in the third, a Mastodon singled to break up the no-hitter.  (That might have made the game interesting.)  Jefferson went ahead and struck out the next batter.  The ump seemed to be calling nothing but strikes for him.  Chris was also working fast.  Aileen brought a little girl down for the window toss contest.  The girl threw the ball a bit indifferently, but hit it.  The Aggie dugout gave her a round of applause.  A lady brought in a large shaggy black dog that might have actually been a pony.  Aileen made sure to get a picture of that dog.  She was doing a good job.

Nick led off the bottom of the third with another single.  A comment in the crowd was, “He’s in a slump.”  Compared to five home runs yesterday, maybe.  Two outs followed.  Zach Smits took two balls before being given an intentional walk (unless he got brushed by a pitch).  Kevin Jimenez singled in Nick.  Noah then rifled a double down the first base line to score two more.  4-0 Aggies.

Ouch!  Catcher Jason Bush took one off the cup in the fourth.  He said he was okay, but the ump chatted with Jefferson for a minute anyway.  The next batter, Garett Lake, singled.  Then, Garrett Mohler smacked a double to the centerfield wall.  The ball was bobbled and the Garett with one “R” scored.  A sacrifice brought in the Garrett with two “R’s.”  4-2 Aggies.  It took 14 1/3 innings, but Jefferson was finally scored on.  I have one of those runs being earned.  I think there was a double even without the error.

The Mastodons had had enough of Nick for the weekend and intentionally walked him in the bottom of the fourth with two out and nobody on.  He was picked off, but beat out the throw to second for the steal.  Unfortunately, Tristan Peterson struck out for the third time in a row to end the inning.  Jefferson was back on track in the fifth and got three groundouts to second.

Bush walked in the bottom of the fifth.  Zach hit into an easy double play, but the shortstop bobbled it and didn’t get either out.  KJ came the closest for to homering for the Aggies today.  His shot down the third base line just curled foul.  He grounded out, but a wild pitch got Bush to third where Noah drove him in with a shallow sacrifice to center.  5-2 Aggies.

Jefferson cruised through the top of the sixth.  The pocket contest was asking for cold and flu related items.  Like I needed to be reminded after my bout last week and anybody else needs it after the concurrent new virus scare.  The Mastodons brought in a new pitcher for the bottom.  His second pitch hit the backstop.  Zerek struck out, but the third strike went straight between the catcher’s legs to the backstop to let him on.  Nick was up next and a pitch flew over his head before an intentional walk was given from the dugout.  The PFW coach took that pitcher out and brought in a new one.

That didn’t work out any better.  After the first walk, the PA played Walk Like an Egyptian.  The second walk forced in a run.  A single by Zach brought in two runs.  After a third walk, the coach had to bring in another pitcher.  This one finished the inning with a quick double play.  Damage done.  Aggies up 8-2.

I had my personal highlight here.  Volleyball player Cat Kelly came in with her mom (I’m guessing).  (I may or may not have seen some other team members in the crowd too.)  Since she walked right passed me, I couldn’t resist talking to her (unlike my insecurity in talking to Aileen).  Cat might have vaguely remembered me when I talked to her last year (11-14-19).  

I congratulated her on the team’s season.  I also told her how brave she was at the WAC Tournament playing with her injury.  Upsettingly, she said her leg still hurt (though the pain apparently doesn’t keep her from being awesome on court).  Cat is such a soft-spoken sweetheart.  She must be a ferocious competitor to be where she is, but it’s hard to imagine that from meeting her.  I also got to rub it in on Ron later that he missed seeing her.

Jefferson got a double play to end a three-batter the top of the seventh.  Ron and Jenny actually came back right after.  They were in time for a drunken-sounding Seventh Inning Stretch led by some guys having a really good time in the center grandstand seats.  In the bottom, Austin Duffy got on as the PFW third baseman bobbled his grounder.  It wasn’t ruled an error.  Nick was intentionally walked for a third time.  He hadn’t even made it to the batter’s box before they waved him to first.  Tristan cashed in that slight with a run-scoring single.  9-2 Aggies.

Freshman pitcher, Sammy Natera, came on for the Aggies in the eighth.  Ron didn’t think Jefferson had thrown to much more than 70 pitches (it was actually 53!), but with this lead, Coach Kirby maybe wanted to give a couple of pitchers some work.  Sammy hit the leadoff batter with his first pitch, who then staggered to first.  Bush went down as well on the play.  I’m not sure if he was hit by the ball or the bat.  Sammy gave up a single that advanced the first runner to third, who then came in on a passed ball.  Another run came in on a ground out.  9-4 Aggies.

The forecast wind was now kicking up hard and it was cold.  A Mastodon fly ball last inning travelled pretty well, but mostly the wind seemed to be crossing the field.  The Mastodon DH, Andrew Lawvere, came in to pitch.  Looking at his stats, he is apparently a two-way player.  Lawvere worked a quick bottom, as the Aggies swung early.  It was getting colder, but the crowd was mostly sticking around since the game seemed about over.      

What happened next happened so quickly, shock didn’t even set in while it was happening.  I barely took any notes on the action, but it was all pretty straight forward.  Alex Reyes came in with a five-run lead.  The Mastodons started off the inning with three-straight hits, which scored a run.  Reyes got a strikeout and then a groundball for a double play.  However, Nick wasn’t able to turn it and only got one.  Four more singles rapt through as PFW batted around and tied the score.  9 all.

Well. 

Didn’t see that coming. 

I think the Aggies were actually lucky it was tied.  They could have easily been trailing going into the bottom of the ninth.  Big boy pants engaged.  Duffy leadoff the bottom by getting hit hard enough by Lawvere, who was still pitching, to hear it well up in the stands.  Tabak then crushed a double to the center field wall.  Duffy tore around third and was waved around.  He slapped the plate as the throw came in late.  Aggies win 10-9!  Tommy was mobbed on field.  That was unnecessarily exciting, but a great result.  Yeah, we didn’t have our usual comeback win today, so decided to do a walkoff win instead.  What a bunch of drama queens.           

Let’s hand out some gameballs?  (Somehow pretending this wasn’t a near complete disaster at the end.)  For those pesky Mastodons, Dylan Stewart went 3 for 4 and Garett, with one “R,” Lake had the big two-run single in the ninth.  For the Aggies, Chris Jefferson gave up 2 runs in 7 innings with 6 strikeouts and no walks, a tremendous effort that was almost wasted.  (Alex Reyes is a good pitcher, but took a tough loss in Tucson last week.  He apparently hasn’t recovered.)  Zach Smits and Noah Haupt had great days driving in the runs, but forget it.  Tommy Tabak gets the nod for saving the win.  

The game finished in about two-and-a-half hours.  It was quick, which was a good thing because it started getting really unpleasant with the wind soon afterward.  We ran into Jessie on the way out and chatted for a bit.  On the field, the coach’s little dog was running around as his handler was trying to catch him.  (I saw video of another game earlier this week, where he got loose during play somehow.)  Nick was being set up to be interviewed in the dugout.  I think I heard him asking for a golf cart and a driver to take him to first directly from the dugout, rather than having to walk there during his at bats.  “It’d just speed up the game a little,” he said. 

We picked up Jenny’s husband, Steve, for lunch at Andele’s in Old Mesilla.  I’m sure it’s great food if you like Mexican food.  Otherwise, you’re having a hamburger, like I did.  I saw a waiter take one by and figured out I wasn’t going to be able to eat one in one sitting.  I ordered the Kiddie Burger, which was still about the size of a regular Whataburger.  Afterward, we were at Caliches.  Starting today, they were offering Ron’s favorite seasonal special, the Key Lime Pie flavor.  Jenny was happy with seeing two good games over the last two days (though she would have been okay with a blowout win today instead).  She’ll will be heading back to Arkansas this week, but will be taking back a few happy sports memories and some Aggie swag.

NM State Aggies vs CSU Bakersfield Roadrunners Women’s Basketball 2-29-20

Steve and Jenny had prolonged their stay in town after the hockey game last week.  This Women’s Basketball game was going to be starting at the same time as the Aggie Baseball double header.  Ron wanted to see Senior Day at basketball.  I didn’t have any argument.  It was hoped Gia Pack would be back playing today.  Ron reported that at last night’s baseball game she’d thrown out the first pitch, but had limped on and off the field.  Indeed, she wasn’t suited up to play for the game.  That was disappointing.

As we came in, we were heralded by the Roadrunner Revue Band parading around the Pan-Am Center concourse.  It’s always nice to have fanfare when one enters a building.  There was also a cool free t-shirt giveaway.  These were advertised for the students attending, but they ended up being given to anybody coming.  Me and Jenny appreciated them.  It’s nice she’ll have something to take back to Arkansas.

On court, Coach Atkinson’s toddler son was getting lots of attention from the Cheerleaders.  (Before the game, I noticed one of them was wearing black nerdy glasses.  That was so hot.)  When the Aggies came out to warmup, the toddler immediately went over to see them, before a team assistant ran over to get him.  Beautiful Megan Hart and several players from the Volleyball team were in attendance.  I’d describe the crowd overall as being okay.  I noticed there were three female referees working the game.  They all looked bigger and tougher than the players on court, but would end up having a really rough game.  I’d remembered seeing that tall pretty brunette ref with long straight hair before.         

I’d also noticed a gorgeous young woman operating a hand-held camera directly below us.  When she turned around, I got a good look at her.  Gasp!  It was Aggie Soccer star, Aileen Galicia.  This was surprising to say the least because she’d been a senior the last time I’d seen her playing in 2018 (10-27-18).  I didn’t talk to her there at her Senior Day and I’d also blown a couple of opportunities to talk to her afterward.  She didn’t do anything wrong.  I was just afraid to talk to her, even though I’d talked to her a couple of times after games and she was very nice.  It was absolutely painful seeing her for the whole game.  I didn’t consider this an ill omen, but still, ouch.

I was getting over a cold today.  There were a couple spots during the game where I felt I was tiring a bit and couldn’t concentrate.  Imagine my surprise that I’d actually gotten the scoring correct.  This was without the benefit of the scoreboard working during the game and basically missing the postgame recap on the radio.  (It’s probably a good thing that they’re getting a new scoreboard in the future, but I notice its always working correctly for the Men’s games.)  Admittedly, I did miss-add what I’d scored at first, but it was correct. 

First Quarter

I’d noticed Kate Tokuhara for Bakersfield during the player introductions.  Her teammates were doing an Oriental ritual bow to her.  Later in play, I’d figure out why they were honoring her.  For my part, I was watching her because she’s very pretty and downright sexy when playing.  [Edit: I forgot to put up a picture.  When I went looking for one, I found a WAC video about her.  This girl is amazing and has had some terrible misfortune over her playing career.]  Sometimes I think I’m there to watch the game, but apparently I’m really just there girl-watching.  In any case, my first game note was that Kate got knocked over by Soufia Inoussa for the first foul of the game.

It was a nervous start for both teams.  There were lots of traveling calls as part of that.  The first score was a miracle, literally a basket by Miracle Saxon for CSUB.  Micayla Buckner got the first Aggie basket underneath the goal.  AD Mario Moccia came in.  He chatted with the Volleyball team, before settling in to watch the game.  He was here for the senior ceremony later.  The Roadrunners cycled in Dalis Jones.  Adam Young on the radio call referred to the hard-not-to-notice 5’2” player being in just for her defense as a steal artist.  That would turn out to only be a half-correct assessment for her abilities. 

Dee Dee Echols put in a three to put the Aggies up 9-4 as part of a run.  I finally found out I’d been spelling her name wrong all this time.  The program always lists her as Rodrea.  Her announced name, I’ve been writing as “Didi.”  Good thing I was able to correct that in the senior’s last home game.  Bakersfield closed back in at the end of the quarter to make it 11-9. 

Second Quarter

Dino Dash was a bit deflated in the break.  One of the contestants was a bit limp for the contest.  That wasn’t the best way for this spectacle to go out.  CSUB came out fouling.  They picked up three in the first minute-and-a-half before anyone had scored.  Amanda Soderqvist came in for the Aggies, but missed a couple of jumpers.  Bakersfield would pick up their fourth and fifth fouls before the quarter had gone halfway through to put the Aggies in the bonus. 

Micayla got a big rebound in the lane.  She dished to Soufia, who made a fake, then got the bucket.  Micayla then put on her own moves to get a basket next time down.  It looked pretty.  15-10 Aggies with 6 minutes left.  The bonus situation didn’t hurt the Roadrunners as the Aggies missed four straight foul shots.  CSUB also nearly managed to fake out the referees on a ball going out to try and retain possession. 

Right before the end of the half, the Aggies got sloppy.  Kate made two steals on the last two possessions.  She made a finger-roll layup on the first, but flat missed a layup on the second.  The biggest and tallest person inside the Pan-Am was Gregg McCall, former NBA player and the Bakersfield coach.  He gave Kate a big hug after the horn, as she seemed a bit upset.  I’ll guess he’s nice to his girls when he sees the effort regardless of the result.  21-20 Aggies at the half.

Halftime

There was no halftime show, but the Band did play a couple of numbers.  I went to the bathroom.  When I came back, the Volleyball team was gone.  Ron said they went up the player tunnel.  Did they all go to the bathroom together?  (Actually, they’d left altogether.)  There was a new clip on the video board.  It was a dance scene from Napoleon Dynamite.  (I haven’t seen the movie.  I only recognized it enough to identify it.)  I only mention this at all because two little girls at courtside were exactly mirroring the dancing on the screen.  It was adorable.

 

Third Quarter

If Kate had felt bad about the layup, she made up for it with a three for the first shot of the second half.  Amanda answered it immediately.  Both then missed threes on the next trips.  (That was it for Amanda for the game.  She is really not seeing the hoop well lately.) 

Aaliyah Prince and Kate then had a tie-up over a rebound.  The Aggies had been doing well rebounding in the game.  Micayla and then Tayelin Grays picked up their third fouls and had to come out.  It was hard not to notice Aaliyah’s red shoes with orange soles.  I’m not sure if they were new or not, but they made her faster.  She went coast-to-coast with afterburners for the layup and the foul to make it 29-25 with 6 minutes left. 

CSUB was staying with the Aggies.  Kate had another steal, this one on an inbounds.  The Aggies then got their fifth team foul with Adrianna Henderson’s third foul, which put the Roadrunners in the bonus.  Soufia fearlessly tied up with a much larger player to take us into a break.  Pistol Pete came up into the stands and danced with a couple of little girls while Aileen put it up on the video board. 

Out of the break, Micayla got hit with a technical.  She’d made what looked like a mild comment to a ref on a possession call on a ball going out.  I don’t know what she said, but she wasn’t angry or verbose about it.  Regardless, that was her fourth.  Undaunted, Aaliyah got a block.  She’d miss a layup on the way back, but Soufia was there to clean it up for the score.  Henderson then drained an open three.  36-29 Aggies 2 minutes left.  Timeout CSUB.

Pete tossed a t-shirt to the dancing girls down in the front row.  It was way too big for either of them, so they both wore together for the rest of the game.  It was too darling.  This happened next to Aileen, so she put them on camera a couple of times and even sat next to them. 

The Aggies came back going with full court pressure and got a turnover.  Dee Dee made a great feed to freshman Shania Harper, who’d just come in, under the basket for a layup.  Roadrunner Andie Easley came back with a three.  That was, get this, the Roadrunners’ only other field goal of the quarter (along with Kate’s at the beginning).  If you’re wondering though, Andie and Dalis had 10 free throw points in this quarter.  41-36 Aggies after 30 minutes.    

Fourth Quarter

The quarter started with a bad inbounds by the Roadrunners.  The ball got loose and Aaliyah took it in for a layup.  On an Aggie inbounds, she tripped, but kept up her dribble in what Adam referred to as a “Harlem Globetrotters-like play.”  The refs didn’t see it that way and called a travel.  After two more quick questionable calls on the Aggies, the crowd was in an uproar.  Someone summed it up as “Three blind mice.” 

Andie got a steal off Prince and an out-of-bounds save.  The Aggies picked up their fifth foul with seven minutes left.  41-40 Aggies.  Kate got another steal.  Another Aggie turnover was initiated by the refs.  The crowd was booing full out now.  Coach Atkinson was giving a ref an earful.  Kate hit a three to tie it at 47 with five minutes left.  She then caused a steal that led to a three by Dalis to give the Roadrunners the lead.  (I was inwardly applauding.  I’d picked the right opposing player to crush on.)

Adam reported that during the break, the coach had shown one of the refs a stat sheet about how one-sided the fouls were in the second half.  I think the Roadrunners had gotten rung up in the second quarter quite a bit.  If there was some sort of makeup calling going on (which there never should be), they overdid it.  The first half had flown by, but all the fouls were slowing the game way down.  There were so many calls, maybe it was hard to keep track. 

After the break, Kate got a steal and a layup.  (She really did look good out there playing.)  52-51 CSUB 2:18 to go.  Henderson fouled out.  Prince fell down on court trying to draw a foul.  Dalis was left open and the 5’2” defensive specialist hit another three.  I won’t say what happened next was the turning point, but Dalis was then called for her fifth foul.  She was in disbelief as she left the game. 

Tayelin missed two free throws.  She then tripped Andie, didn’t get called for it (as Adam noted), got the ball, and made a layup.  55-53 CSUB 1:43 to go.  Aaliyah got another block.  This lead to a fast break from Soufia to Taylin for a layup.  55 all.  The crowd was now into it.  1:00 remaining.  Timeout CSUB.  Jayden Eggleston had a nearly uncontested layup to put the Roadrunners back up by 2.  I think the Aggies were more surprised than anyone that there wasn’t a foul called anyway. 

Dee Dee answered with a bunny in the lane to tie it again with 27 seconds left.  The Roadrunners missed their shot.  The Aggies came back and took a timeout with 7 seconds left.  They got two open shots in that time, but didn’t connect with either.  57-57 as regulation expired.

Overtime

There’s no OT slot on the scorecard.  I wasn’t quite sure what to do other than mark it down on the fourth quarter.  No screwing around by the Aggies here.  Soufia knocked down a three and Tayelin caught a downcourt pass for a layup, 62-57.  On the Roadrunners’ next possession, there was a dispute about the time on the shot clock.  It should have reset for them after a shot hit the rim.  Instead the refs had to go to replay to figure it out.  Adam never said they were doing a bad job in the game, but by this point, he was clearly exasperated with them.     

Andie was taking all of the Roadrunner shots in the overtime.  She was questionably fouled on a three attempt and converted on all three shots.  (Honestly, the refs had probably let a few fouls go early in the OT.  Just letting them play maybe?)  Soufia was fouled, but missed both shots.  64-62 Aggies 1 minute remaining. 

Next for the Roadrunners, Jayden got two shots under the basket.  Both went into the cylinder and rimmed out.  That may have actually been the pivotal play.  Lou Henson Court itself didn’t want the Aggies losing on Senior Day.  20 seconds left, Tayelin was fouled the next time she touched the ball.  This time, she made both.  66-62 Aggies.  Dee Dee caused a turnover and was immediately fouled and made one to ice it.  Aggies win 67-62.

The first comment about the game should be about the refereeing.  Both teams have reason to complain.  This was a contest between two .500 in conference teams with the Aggies having an edge because they were at home.  The result was likely to be a close Aggie win.  So, I don’t know if the refereeing affected the outcome, but it definitely affected how the teams played.  I suspect WAC officials will be looking back at this game and questioning the crew.

Gameballs.  For the Roadrunners, Andie Easley led with 15 points, 9 at the nail.  “Defensive specialist” Dalis Jones had 14.  Teams should probably change their book and start guarding her.  Kate Tokuhara had 10 points and several steals.  She was a bundle of hustle.  I’m bowing (and inviting her to stay here and move in with me).  For the Aggies, Aaliyah Prince had 20 points and 10 rebounds and was the obvious star of game.  She was the only Aggie scoring in double-digits, but the rest of the team was like a hydra making big baskets and plays.  Losing Gia wasn’t good for the team’s record, but it’s certainly made them better players.         

The Senior Day ceremony was afterward.  Micayla Buckner, Dee Dee Echols, Adenike Aderinto, and Gia Pack were honored.  Unlike other times I’ve seen these ceremonies, the opposing team’s seniors were not mentioned.  Did they forget?  Did the Roadrunners leave the court too quick?  Is there bad blood?  (Gia went out and hugged a couple of their players afterward.)  They’re leaving the conference anyway after this year.    

          

Gia brought out her whole extended family with her to receive her framed jersey.  She also had a large list of accomplishments, including that WAC Tournament MVP and scoring record.  (Just announcing all of her relatives took a while too.)  On the sidelines, Harper was trying to corral the coach’s toddler son.  It was a losing battle for her. (Don’t feel bad.  Brooke Salas finally met her match on court with the kid, 11-13-19.)  Coach Atkinson came out and gave nice motivational and congratulatory speech to the players and the fans.  Gia spoke for all of the seniors and thanked everyone. 

With that, Ron, Jenny, and I went out for lunch and missed out on baseball for the rest of the day.  Still, that was pretty exciting.  This was a great way to end the live season for me with Aggie Women’s Basketball.  I feel a bit more optimistic about their chances in the tournament. 

NM State Aggies Baseball 2-25 to 29-20

NM State Aggies vs ASU Sundevils Baseball 2-25-20

This was the Aggies big mid-week game for the month in Tucson.  The Sundevils are ranked eighth in the nation.  One of their players, Spencer Torkelson, is ranked higher in the draft than our own Nick Gonzales.  Little wonder Adam Young reported on the radio coverage that there were over 70 scouts in the crowd.  There was a good crowd of fans, including Aggie fans.  A stiff wind was blowing in, so there wouldn’t be any power displays by either team, even including batting practice.  There was also video provided by Arizona State, which I had on, but was about 30 seconds behind the radio coverage.  I would watch after a good play was announced over the radio.

The Aggies started off the first with the bases walked loaded, but the ASU starter, Erick Tolman, struck out the side.  Frank Dickson Jr. started for the Aggies.  There was a near collision on a popup between Nick and outfielder Zerek Saenz.  A single scored a run to make it 1-0 ASU.  Nick had his first error of the year in the second.  ASU would load the bases, but Nick made a good play on a grounder to get the final out. 

Alex Pinedo started the third for the Aggies on this bullpen day.  He struck out the side only allowing a walk.  In the fourth, Nick made another good play and Pinedo ended the inning with a strikeout with two on.  Aldo Fernandez came on in the fifth for a 1-2-3 inning.  Tollman came out for the Sundevils in the sixth, but the Aggies still did not find success hitting.  In the bottom, the ASU bench started getting really vocal at the umpire about the strikezone and Pinedo’s low strikes.  Nick made another good play for an in-order inning.

In the seventh, ASU added a run to make it 2-0.  In the eighth, Tommy Tabak walked and Daniel Head pinch hit an RBI double.  It sounded like there were quite a few Aggie fans there, as it was now 2-1.  In an odd move, ASU replaced their pitcher with an 0-2 count on Zerek.  Nick was intentionally walked after to face Jason Bush, who hit a two-run double off of ASU closer, RJ Dabovich, 3-2 Aggies. 

In the bottom of the eighth, Mitchell Allen came in to pitch for the Aggies.  Kevin Jimenez made a great catch on a foul ball, but then Tristan Peterson made an error on an easier one.  This led to a big inning, as a triple would score two.  Tabak went all out to make the catch, but crashed into the wall.  He stayed in the game.  A sac fly gave the Sundevils a 5-3 lead.

The Aggies weren’t done yet.  In the top of the ninth, KJ tripled and was balked home to make it 5-4.  There were then two walks with two outs.  Nick was up and went to a full count.  On a wild pitch, Tabak took third.  Here came another critical error by an All-American, as Torkleson at short made an error on his throw that allowed the tying run to score, 5 all.

In the bottom of the ninth, Alex Reyes came in.  He allowed one baserunner, who he picked off of first to end the frame.  The Aggies did not score in the tenth.  Nick made his third error at short on the leadoff hitter.  This led to a downward spiral.  A bunt turned into a single.  Torkleson was given an intentional walk to load the bases.  The winning run was walked in.  6-5 ASU wins.

Four errors somewhat did in the Aggies.  In spite of the final inning, I was very encouraged by Aggie pitching.  They only yielded 3 earned runs in the loss.  Once again, Aggie batting showed that they have comeback potential at any time against anybody.  Given that there were shaky plays by both teams’ best players, I’d say all of the scouts in attendance may have given them some jitters.  I also wonder if playing on a natural surface might have affected Nick’s play.  He has been very good at the Skew, which has an artificial surface.  The result was a downer, but a fair gauge on how good this Aggie team is.

2-28-20 vs Perdue-Fort Wayne Mastodons

There was an interview on Wednesday on the Aggie Coach’s Show with Softball and Baseball.  Nikki Butler and Nick Gonzales were the player interviews.  Both of them came off really well representing themselves and the university.  Apparently, there’s a bit of a home run competition going on between the two “Nick’s.”  Nick G was pretty upbeat after having a tough game in Tucson.  Consider that this interview was after a nine-hour bus ride last night and practice that afternoon.  There’s a professional for you.

This weekend’s series against the Mastodons began on Friday night to full house of Little Leaguers.  I was watching the game on the WAC Digital Network at work.  I was able to watch intermittently while doing Month End processing.  Former Aggie pitcher, Matt McHugh, was in with Adam Young on the TV coverage.  It was a beautiful perfect night at the Skew.  I was really jealous that Ron and Jenny were at the game, though apparently all of the little kids and some of the adult fans were irritating them.      

The Aggies won 4-2 in a tight game.  Chance Hroch pitched seven innings and only gave up those two runs.  He was nibbling around the edges, which led to some trouble, but he was reportedly working on making sure he stayed away from giving up any hard hit balls.  Mitchell Allen came on in the eighth for a two-inning save.  I did see Noah Haupt hit a big opposite field home run in the game.  Tristan Peterson went 2 for 4 with an RBI, and Zach Smits went 3 for 4 with an RBI.

2-29-20 vs Perdue-Fort Wayne Mastodons

Myself, Ron, and Jenny were at Aggie Women’s Basketball, while Game 1 of this double header was going on.  Ron would show me periodic updates during the game.  The Aggies won 15-5, though technically this was a comeback win, as they were down 3-0 early.  Zach Smits went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI’s.  Noah Haupt went 4 for 6 with 3 RBI’s.  Nick Gonzales went 2 for 5 with 3 RBI’s.  His two hits were home runs.

After the Basketball game, we went for a late lunch.  There wasn’t much point in going to see Game 1, since they were in the eighth and the game was a blow out.  Ron and Jenny hadn’t told me at the time that they had family dinner plans.  I maybe could have gone back myself for Game 2, but a cold breeze was going outside and darkness would come on before the game.  Given I was getting over a cold from this week, I didn’t want to go alone.

That said (badly and meekly), boy did I feel somewhat dumb later.  Granted that I saw a great overtime basketball game and got a cool giveaway t-shirt, but when I saw the baseball stats later, I really missed out.  (It didn’t help that on Sunday I talked to a co-worker who was at the double header and he rubbed it in.)  The Aggies won 14-5.  Again, it was a comeback win as they were down early. 

No, the story bigger here is Nick Gonzales.  He went 3 for 5 with 7 RBI’s.  Ho hum.  Those three hits though were home runs!  The guy had five home runs on the day!  If you think those were all wind-aided, let me you straight.  Nobody else on the team hit a home run on Saturday.  (There was only one Mastodons home run.)  He’s not even swole or anything; he’s just real good at hitting.  Little wonder he got that national player of the week award on Monday, as shown above.  Noah Haupt also did well with his second game effort.  He went 4 for 5 with 5 RBI’s.