Sports Release
March 24, 1999

EASTERN NEW MEXICO DOWNS
WAYLAND BAPTIST, 9-7
PLAINVIEW, TX — Senior right fielder Ryan Collins (Hesperia, CA/Victor Valley College) went 3 for 4 with two doubles, and junior pitcher Jeff Thibodeaux (Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley College) threw 5 effective innings, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Wayland Baptist University, 9-7, May 24 at WBU. The victory improved ENMU to 14-19, while WBU fell to 9-13.

Collins drove in one run with a double in the sixth inning, then hit a 2-RBI double in the seventh inning. He also was hit by a pitch, reached on a single and grounded out. Collins finished the game with 2 runs and 3 RBIs.

Thibodeaux allowed 4 runs, but only 2 were earned. He had 2 walks and recorded 1 strikeout. He left the mound after ENMU scored 3 runs in the sixth inning for a 6-4 lead. Thibodeaux improved to 1-1 on the season. He also batted, and achieved 2 hits in 3 at bats.

ENMU rallied from deficits of 3-1 and 4-3. The first deficit was created when the Pioneers scored 3 runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Greyhounds quickly tied the game, scoring 2 runs in the second. WBU regained the lead with a run in the fourth, but fell behind for good when the Greyhounds scored 3 times in the sixth and 2 times in the seventh.

Eastern held a 9-4 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth, but Wayland Baptist battled into contention with 3 runs on 3 hits. The key hit for WBU was a two-out, 2-RBI double to right field by Julian Vasquez.

The Pioneers were unable to complete the rally in the ninth, as ENMU closer Brandon Bosher (Jr., Fall Creek, WI/Des Moines Area C.C.) faced just three batters, forcing WBU into a pair of ground outs and a fly out. Bosher recorded his third save of the season.

In addition to Collins and Thibodeaux, the Greyhounds received a strong offensive effort from senior center fielder Sam George (Eau Claire, WI/N.M. Mil. Inst.), who went 2 for 3 with a double and a run scored. First baseman Luz Leal, Jr. (Fr., Laredo, TX/Alexander Magnet H.S.) was 1 for 2 with a walk and 2 runs scored.

The Greyhounds begin Lone Star Conference South Division play on Fri., Mar 26 and Sat., Mar. 27, when they take on Abilene Christian University in Abilene, Texas. The teams will play a double-header each day, starting at 3:00 p.m. (MST) on Friday and at 11:00 a.m. (MST) on Saturday.