The parity is evident in this year's NAPA Auto Parts Western Athletic Conference baseball tournament.

Fourth-seeded New Mexico State finds itself in the driver's seat, the sole unbeaten team among the five remaining teams after defeating second-seeded Louisiana Tech, 6-5, last night at Les Murakami Stadium.

The Bulldogs (29-21) will play San Jose State at 11 a.m. today in an elimination game. The winner faces the Aggies (43-15) at 7 p.m.

A crowd of 1,288 watched the second-day session.

Mike Sodders and Kyle Decater each drove in two runs to support Tyler Sturdevant (7-5), who allowed four runs in seven innings.

Scott Coffman pitched a scoreless eighth and Justin Cooper survived a scary ninth, allowing a run, but stranding the tying and go-ahead runners on base for his second save.

Devon Dageford drove in four of Tech's five runs.

Although the Aggies have 118 homers after last night, coach Rocky Ward likes his team's chances because of its pitching depth.

"I felt all along the strength of this club has been in our pitching depth," Ward said. "We have the best core of closers ... the hardest thing to do is close when you look at all the offenses in this league."

As great as NMSU's record is, Ward still feels his team has to win the tournament to earn a berth in the NCAA tournament.

The Aggies' Rating Percentage Index is 135 as of yesterday, according to boydsworld.com.

"I'm not a big proponent of RPI," Ward said. "I think it's very unfair, especially to teams in the West and most of us are underrated. I thought Fresno proved that a year ago. Bottom line is our RPI's not good enough."

LOUISIANA TECH (29-21) 100 000 301—5 7 1

NEW MEXICO STATE (43-15) 300 210 00X—6 11 2

Dylan Moseley, Jamey Bradshaw (4), John Bradshaw (8) and Matt Combs. Tyler Sturdevant, Scott Coffman (8), Justin Cooper (9) and Jeffery Farnham. W — Sturdevant. L — Moseley. S — Cooper.

Leading hitters — Louisiana Tech: Devon Dageford 3-4, homer, 2 runs, 4 RBIs; Nick Grunenwald 2 runs; Chris Kersten double. New Mexico State: Richard Stout 2-5; Nate Shaver double; Mike Sodders 2-3, double, triple, 2 RBIs; Bryan Marquez double, 2 runs; Kyle Decater 2-2, homer, 2 RBIs.