Athletic Report
March 11, 2000

GREYHOUNDS ROUT N.M. HIGHLANDS IN OPENER
LAS VEGAS, NM — Eastern New Mexico University had earned just 3 home runs in its first 17 games prior to a pair of games at New Mexico Highlands University on Sat., Mar. 11. The Greyhounds pulled out of their power-hitting slump with 8 homers in a double-header sweep of the Cowboys. ENMU routed NMHU, 15-5, in the opener, then rallied from a 6-0 deficit to take a 13-7 victory in eight innings in the second game.

Senior designated hitter Matt Masiarek (Brisbane, Australia/Lamar C.C.) led the ENMU offense with 3 home runs on the afternoon. The wins improved the Greyhounds’ record to 8-10-1 on the season. New Mexico Highlands fell to 12-7. The teams will close out their three-game series with a single game in Las Vegas on Sun., Mar. 12 at 1:00 p.m. MST.

In the opener, sophomore pitcher Gabe DeHoyos (Artesia, NM/Trinidad J.C.) earned a complete game win. He struck out 6 batters, allowed just one walk and gave up only 7 hits. DeHoyos is now 2-0 with 2 saves on the season.

The Hounds gained quick control of the first game, scoring 3 runs in the first inning, then adding 5 runs in the top of the second. ENMU hit 5 home runs in the game, falling just one short of the school record set at College of the Southwest last season (Mar. 2, 1999).

Masiarek led the way with two home runs, while David Jones (Jr., SS, Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona College), Jeromy Neumann (Sr., C, Visalia, CA/Victor Valley College) and Jeff Zipser (Jr., 2B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley) hit one home run apiece. Maziarek with 3 for 5 with 4 RBIs. Junior left fielder Chris Stewart (Albuquerque, NM/ Manzano H.S.) also contributed to the win, finishing 4 for 5 with 3 runs scored and 4 RBIs. Five other players pounded out 2 hits each, as ENMU totaled 21 hits for the game.NMHU was led by shortstop Paul Wright, who hit a solo home run. First baseman Matt Planeta was 2 for 2 with a run scored for the Cowboys.

Highlands jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second game, as the Cowboys scored 3 runs in both of the first two innings. ENMU rallied, cutting the deficit to 6-4 with 4 runs in the fourth inning, then taking a 7-6 lead by adding 3 additional runs in the top of the sixth.NMHU tied the game with a run in the bottom of the 6th, and the score remained tied after 7 innings. The eighth inning began with a fly out by ENMU, but the Greyhounds recovered to take the lead.

Masiarek and senior first baseman Jeff Thibodeaux (Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley College) hit back-to-back singles to put runners at first and second. Joe Clabaugh (Sr., RB, Mustang, OK/Western Oklahoma State) followed with another single to drive in Masiarek with the go-ahead run. Steven Romano (Fr., 3B, Las Cruces, NM/Onate H.S.) then added 3 insurance runs with a homer. Jones completed the scoring his second home run of the day, a 2 run shot.

The Hounds received excellent relief pitching from Cory Barker (Jr., Kelseyville, CA/ Mendicino J.C.) and from Rich Thomas (So., Albuquerque, NM/Trinidad J.C.). Barker came in during the second inning, and gave up just one run in 4 2/3 innings. Thomas (1-0) earned the win, allowing no runs and just one hit over the final two innings.

Eastern New Mexico belted out 19 hits in the second game to finish the double-header with a total of 40 hits. Masiarek was 3 for 4 in the second game, and hit his third homer of the day (4th of the season). Romano finished 3 for 5 with 5 RBIs. Jones and sophomore center fielder Andy Hostetler (Albuquerque, NM/Valley H.S.) also went 3 for 5 for the Greyhounds.

NMHU was led offensively by Taylor Speier, who connected for 3 hits in 5 at bats, including a solo home run. Wright provided the Cowboys with a 3 for 5 performance with 2 RBIs.