Athletic Report
March 19, 2000

ENMU FALLS TO LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN
Andy Hostetler Ties School Record in Opener
LUBBOCK, TX — Lubbock Christian University rallied from an 8-5 deficit in the first game against Eastern New Mexico University, Sun., Mar. 19, to take a 10-9 victory on its way to a double-header sweep of the Greyhounds at Hays Field. The Chaparrals won the second game 11-3. LCU, which has won 21 consecutive games, improved to 28-5 overall, while ENMU fell to 11-12-1 on the season.

In the opener, ENMU sophomore center fielder Andy Hostetler (Albuquerque, NM/Valley H.S.) hit 3 doubles to tie a school record. The feat was previously accomplished three times, most recently by Bryan Silva against Abilene Christian on Apr. 6, 1997.

The Greyhounds outhit Lubbock Christian 12-8 in the first game, but LCU pounded out three homers, one each by Gabe Flores, Stephen Leist and Jason Breland, to record the win. ENMU took a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning, as Hostetler doubled and freshman third baseman Steven Romano (Las Cruces, NM/Onate H.S.) hit a 2-RBI single. Lubbock answered with 5 runs in the bottom of the inning, including a 2-run homer by Leist.

Eastern New Mexico regained the lead by scoring once in the second inning and three times in the third stanza. Hostetler doubled in both innings, ultimately scoring in the second and driving in 3 runs in the third. ENMU led 7-5 heading into the fourth inning.

Romano hit a single to right field in the fourth stanza to drive in designated hitter Matt Masiarek (Sr., Brisbane, Australia/Lamar C.C.) with one out. With the run, ENMU led 8-5. The Chaparrals, who did not score in three consecutive innings, plated 4 runs in the fifth. Flores hit 3-run homer and Breland blasted a solo homer during the inning. The Chaps added an insurance run in the sixth inning for a 10-8 lead.

ENMU threatened to tie or move in front in the seventh. Junior catcher Matt Brown (Napa, CA/Diablo Valley College) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Jeff Zipser (Jr., 2B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College) followed with a single, and David Jones (Jr., SS, Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona) reached first on a bunt.

Hostetler nearly brought in 2 or more runs with a hit down the first base line, but the ball landed foul by about a foot. Hostetler wound up striking out, and an infield fly resulted in the second out. Masiarek then walked, scoring pinch runner Josh Faulkner (Fr., 1B, Levelland, TX/Levelland H.S.).

LCU relief pitcher Britt Carmichael recorded his first save of the season when a fly ball to second base was caught to end the rally. Hostetler was 3 for 5 with a run scored and 3 RBIs for ENMU. Jones also went 3 for 5, while Masiarek and Romano were both 2 for 3. Masiarek scored twice and drove in 2 runs, while Romano finished with 1 run and 3 RBIs.

Flores led LCU with 2 hits in 3 at bats to go with 2 runs and 4 RBIs. Kurt Kristynik (1-0) pitched 2 2/3 innings in relief of starter Cory Carr to earn the victory for LCU.

Tim King, who pitched the first 5 innings for ENMU, fell to 1-2 with the loss. In the second game, Lubbock took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, then held its slim lead until the Chaparrals batted in the fourth.

Britt Harper drove in Nick Benavidez with the first-inning run on a double to center field. The Chaps increased their lead to 3-0 in the fourth behind an RBI-single from Jeff Randol and an RBI-double by Stan Whittle.

ENMU cut into the lead with a run in the top of the fifth, as Faulkner scored on a sacrifice fly by Hostetler. LCU clinched the win by scoring five times in the fifth inning and three times in the sixth. Jake Willis hit a 2-run homer in the fifth. Breland added a 2-run homer and Ray Ibarra pounded a solo homer to account for all three runs in the sixth.

In between, ENMU scored twice in the top of the sixth, as senior first baseman Jeff Thibodeaux (Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley College) and Zipser each hit an RBI-single. Starter Shane Riddle was the winning pitcher for LCU. He upped his record to 6-1 on the season. ENMU starter Chris Stewart, fell to 3-3 with the loss.

The Greyhounds, who have not played at home since Feb. 29 against Lubbock Christian, return to Greyhound Field on Tues., Mar. 21 to take on arch rival West Texas A&M in a single 9-inning game. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m. The game is part of Tri-State Baseball, but is not a Lone Star Conference game.