Sports Release
April 27, 1999

TEXAS TECH DEFEATS GREYHOUNDS, 11-4
LUBBOCK, TX — Eastern New Mexico University gave nationally-ranked NCAA Division I opponent Texas Tech University a quality battle for 5 1/2 innings on Apr. 27, but the Red Raiders scored 6 times in the bottom of the sixth inning on their way to an 11-4 victory over the Greyhounds.

Texas Tech, ranked between 14th and 16th nationally in three Division I polls, improved to 37-11 on the season. ENMU concluded its schedule with a 22-30 overall record.

Eastern built an early 2-0 lead. Chris Stewart (So., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Manzano H.S.), ENMU’s leadoff batter, opened the game with a walk, advanced to third on a single by Jeff Thibodeaux (Jr., 1B, Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley College), and scored when junior third baseman Todd Carter (Chico, CA/Lassen J.C.) hit into a fielder’s choice. Senior catcher Slubby Bennalley (Kirtland, NM/Coll. of Southern Idaho) singled to center field with two outs to score Carter with the Greyhounds’ second run.

The score remained 2-0, until the third inning, when Texas Tech scored four times with two outs to take a 4-2 lead. The first run scored on a double play, and the second came in on a single by Josh Bard. Scott Holzhauer recorded the key hit of the inning, a double to center field that scored the final 2 runs.

ENMU was still very much in the game until the Red Raiders put together their 6-run sixth inning. Texas Tech earned just 3 hits during the stanza, but Bard and Chaz Eiguren each hit 2-RBI doubles to lead the Red Raiders. The Greyhounds also walked four batters during the inning.

Texas Tech center fielder Marco Cunningham led all batters with a 4 for 4 performance. He also walked and scored 3 runs. Bard finished the game 2 for 3 with 4 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Holzhauer was 2 for 2, with 2 RBIs and 1 run scored.

For the Greyhounds, Stewart went 3 for 4 and scored twice. Thibodeaux earned 2 hits in 4 at bats. He also drove in 2 runs and scored 1 run. Center fielder Sam George (Sr., Eau Claire, WI/N.M. Military Institute) was 2 for 5 with 1 run scored. TTU starting pitcher Brad Ralston went 6 innings and struck out 6 batters to improve to 9-0 on the season.

ENMU starter Greg Stimack took the loss, and finished the year at 8-6. He tied the ENMU record for victories in a season, originally set by Geoff Erwin in 1995 and 1996.