Sports Release
February 23, 1999

GREYHOUNDS SWEEP DOUBLE-HEADER WITH OPSU Eastern New Mexico 10, Oklahoma Panhandle State 9
Eastern New Mexico 11, Oklahoma Panhandle State 2
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds scored five runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to rally from an 8-5 deficit on their way to a 10-9 win over Oklahoma Panhandle State in the first game of a double-header, Feb. 23 at Greyhound Field. ENMU opened the second game with 6 runs in the first inning and cruised to an 11-2 triumph to sweep the double-header. Eastern improved to 5-7 overall with the wins. OPSU dropped to 5-6 on the season.

Oklahoma Panhandle State led 3-0 and 4-1 early in the first game, but the Greyhounds rallied to take a 5-4 lead into the sixth inning. The Aggies plated four runs in the sixth and took an 8-5 advantage. ENMU regained the lead in the bottom of the stanza, scoring its 5 runs on six hits and one error.

Three of Eastern’s hits in the inning were doubles — by Chris Stewart (So., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Manzano H.S.), Matt Masiarek (Jr., DH, Australia/Lamar C.C.), and Jeff Thibodeaux (Jr., 1B, Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley College).

The Aggies threatened to battle back in the seventh inning. Jayte Acree brought home Matt Segovia with one-out single. Nate Calloway went to the mound for ENMU and quickly ended the comeback, getting David Woodard to hit into a double play. Loren Wood (Sr., SS, Everett WA/Skajit Valley C.C.) led the Greyhounds in the first game, finishing 4 for 4 with a triple, 3 runs scored and 2 RBIs. Stewart was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, while Masiarek connected for 3 hits in 3 at bats and drove in three runs.

Eastern’s 6-run first inning put the Aggies in a deep hole early in the second game. The Hounds led 11-0 before OPSU put single runs on the scoreboard in the sixth and seventh innings. Wood again led the ENMU attack. He was 2 for 4 with 2 triples and 2 runs scored. He concluded the double-header with 4 hits in 8 at bats, with 3 triples, 5 runs scored and 3 RBIs.

Senior center fielder Sam George (Eau Claire, WI/N.M. Military Institute) and Stewart each went 2 for 4 in the second game. Thibodeaux was 2 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored. ENMU’s starting pitcher in the second game, Luz Leal, Jr. allowed 7 hits and 1 run in 6 innings of work. He evened his record at 1-1 on the season. OPSU starter Eric Becker fell to 1-2 after allowing 9 runs (8 earned) in 3 innings.

Top hitters for OPSU were Donnie Kron in the opener, with 3 hits in 4 at bats, and Isaac Nunn in the second game, with 3 hits in 3 at bats, including a solo home run in the sixth inning. J.J. Rouanzion was 2 for 3 in the second game.

The Greyhounds will compete in the Erath County Shootout at Tarleton State University this weekend. The Hounds will play two games on Fri, Feb. 26 and two more on Sat., Feb. 27.