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New Mexico State tied a record by scoring 13 runs in the third inning of an 18-8 victory over Hawaii today at Presley Askew Field in Las Cruces, N.M.
The Rainbows matched a school record giving up 13 runs in an inning. It previously happened in an 18-17 loss at Air Force in 1989.
Tanner Waite went 4-for-4 with five RBIs and Zac Fisher went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs to help NMSU (34-21, 9-17 Western Athletic Conference) lock up the final berth in the WAC tournament next week.
Hawaii (31-23, 16-7) needs a win tomorrow to clinch a share of the regular-season WAC title with Fresno State. The Rainbows are likely to earn the No. 1 seed in the tournament with a win, but the Bulldogs have an outside chance at forcing a WAC-mandated draw to determine the No. 1 seed based on how the other WAC teams finish the season.
Sean Montplaisir hit a two-run homer and AJ Bayus hit a solo shot as Hawaii led 4-0 before the Aggies scored the next 14 runs.
New Mexico State sent 18 men to the plate in the third inning on 10 hits.
Zach Gallagher couldn’t get an out in the third, giving up seven runs on eight hits and three walks to fall to 5-3 for the season.
Tyler Mack (6-4) allowed eight runs on nine hits and seven walks in six innings to earn the win.
Saturday’s regular-season finale for both teams begins at 9 a.m.
