Sports Release
March 6, 1999

GREYHOUNDS DEFEAT N.M. HIGHLANDS, 7-1
Greg Stimack Strikes Out 9 in Complete Game 3-Hitter
PORTALES, NM — Junior right-handed pitcher Greg Stimack (Lakewood, CO/J.K. Mullen H.S.) struck out 9 batters and threw a complete-game 3-hitter, as the Eastern New Mexico University Greyhounds defeated visiting New Mexico Highlands, 7-1, at Greyhound Field. The win upped ENMU’s record to 9-10 on the season, while NMHU fell to 3-11.

ENMU took an early 3-0 lead with 5 hits in the bottom of the first inning. Junior second baseman Corey Heredia (Las Cruces, NM/Lamar C.C.) led off the inning with a single, then advanced to second on an error. He later scored on a single by senior shortstop Loren Wood (Everett, WA/Skajit Valley C.C.). Junior third baseman Todd Carter (Fall Creek, WI/Des Moines Area C.C.) drove in Wood and senior center fielder Sam George (Eau Claire, WI/N.M. Military Institute) with the final two runs of the inning on a single to right field.

The three runs were all Stimack needed to improve to 5-1 on the season. His only loss so far came against the University of New Mexico in a 10-7 defeat Feb. 19. He has struck out 35 batters in 35 2/3 innings, while allowing just 13 walks. He gave up only one walk against NMHU.

Eastern New Mexico increased its lead to 5-0 with a pair of runs in the sixth inning. Senior right fielder Ryan Collins (Hesperia, CA/Victor Valley College) doubled with one out. Jeff Thibodeaux (Jr., 1B, Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley) followed with a single to center field that allowed Collins to cross the plate. Thibodeaux eventually scored on a ground out by Heredia.

NMHU scored its only run in the seventh inning. Shortstop Jermaine Watson reached on an error with one out. He later scored with two outs on a single by first baseman Rusty Clear. Stimack finished strong, facing the minimum six batters over the final two innings. Eastern added two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. Collins tripled and senior catcher Slubby Bennalley (Kirtland, NM/College of Southern Idaho) doubled during the inning. For Eastern, Collins and Bennalley each finished 3 for 4 at the plate. Heredia added 3 hits in 5 at bats, and George recorded 2 hits in 4 at bats. The three hits for New Mexico Highlands came from Clear, catcher Shaun Argento and left fielder Tony Hauser.

ENMU and NMHU play against at Greyhound Field on Sunday (Mar. 6). Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.