LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Pete Schuler hit a two-run homer in the eighth inning and Kent State beat New Mexico State 2-1 in an elimination game at the NCAA Tournament's Lubbock Regional on Saturday.
It was Schuler's second homer of the season. He also homered in the NCAA regional opener for the Mid-American Conference champion Golden Flashes (40-17).
New Mexico State starter Kyle Bradish was pulled after a one-out walk to Pavin Parks on his 122nd pitch. Schuler then went deep on the first pitch thrown by reliever Brock Whittlesey (3-5).
John Matthews (1-1) worked 2 2/3 scoreless innings in relief. Collin Romel pitched the ninth, working around a hit batter and a single for his seventh save.
Caleb Henderson had an RBI double in the sixth for New Mexico State (40-22), the Western Athletic Conference tournament champion that made its first NCAA appearance since 2012.