Sports Release
April 13, 1999

ENMU DEFEATS WAYLAND BAPTIST, 16-6
Greyhounds Score 11 Runs in 1st Inning
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University scored 11 runs in the first inning and went on to defeat visiting Wayland Baptist University, 16-6, April 13 at Greyhound Field. The win, Eastern’s fifth victory in a row, improved the Greyhounds to 19-25 on the season. Wayland Baptist fell to 17-22.

ENMU has scored 67 runs during its 5-game winning streak (13.4 runs per game). The Greyhounds swept a 4-game series from Cameron University this past weekend.

The Hounds trailed 1-0 entering the bottom of the first, but ended the stanza with an 11-1 lead. ENMU produced 8 hits in the inning and benefited from 3 walks, 2 hit batsmen and one WBU error.

Junior first baseman Jeff Thibodeaux (Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley College) hit a 2-RBI triple in his second at bat during the inning. He grounded out to drive in Eastern’s first run. In the third inning, ENMU scored twice, increasing its lead to 13-1.

Todd Carter (Jr., 2B, Chico, CA/Lassen J.C.) singled, drove in a run and scored. In the fourth inning, junior catcher Jeromy Neumann (Vixalia, CA/Victor Valley College) hit his first home run of the season. He blasted a power alley shot that cleared the fence in left field. ENMU added two more runs in the fifth inning for a 16-1 advantage.

Wayland Baptist scored 4 runs in the top of the sixth. Julian Vasquez led the way with an RBI double. He later scored on a double by Jason Anderson. Anderson, WBU’s starting pitcher (and designated hitter), fell to 2-4 with the loss. He was successful on offense, recording 2 hits in 5 at bats. He scored twice and had one RBI.

Other top hitters for Wayland Baptist were Marco Palacios (2 of 4, 3 RBIs) and Mark Bejarano (2 of 4, 1 run).

ENMU was led by Carter, who earned 3 hits in 4 at bats, while scoring 3 runs and driving in two more. Neumann finished 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored and 3 RBIs, while senior outfielders Sam George (Eau Claire, WI/N.M. Military Institute) and Ryan Collins (Hesperia, CA/Victor Valley College) each went 2 for 5. Collins scored 2 runs and earned 2 RBIs.

Senior pitcher Billy Fitzgerald (Yuma, AZ/Cibola H.S.) of ENMU evened his record at 1-1. He struck out 5 batters and walked 4, while allowing 6 runs in 7 innings. He pitched effectively to get out of several jams, preventing Wayland Baptist from mounting a major comeback. Aaron Clark (So., Portales, NM/Lubbock Christian U.) held WBU scoreless in the eighth and ninth innings.

Eastern New Mexico returns to action in Lone Star Conference double-headers on Fri., Apr. 16 and Sat., Apr. 17 at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The first double-header is set for 3:00 p.m. (MST) on Friday. Saturday’s action is scheduled to get underway at 11:00 a.m. (MST).