Athletic Report
March 21, 2000

ENMU RECORDS 19 HITS IN 12-8 VICTORY
OVER WEST TEXAS A&M
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University pounded out 19 hits, including a 3-run homer, on its way to a 12-8 non-conference victory over visiting West Texas A&M University, Mar. 21 at Greyhound Field. The win evened ENMU’s record at 12-12-1, while WTAMU dropped to 10-18 on the season.

ENMU and West Texas A&M will play Lone Star Conference double-headers Apr. 14-15 in Canyon, Texas. The game was part of Tri-State Baseball, which includes six teams in New Mexico, Texas and Oklahoma. ENMU improved to 4-3-1 in its first eight Tri-State games.

Senior designated hitter Matt Masiarek (Brisbane, Australia/Lamar C.C.) led Eastern’s offense. He drove in all three of ENMU’s runs in the first inning with a home run to center field. He finished the game with 3 hits in 4 at bats, while driving in 5 runs. The Greyhounds quickly built a 7-0 lead. Masiarek’s homer started the scoring spree.

ENMU then added 4 runs on 5 hits in the second inning. Jeff Zipser (Jr., 2B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College) hit a sacrifice fly and David Jones (Jr., SS, Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona College) added an RBI-single. Masiarek completed the scoring with a 2-RBI single to left field. West Texas A&M rallied to tie the game, 7-7, in the fifth inning.

The Buffaloes scored twice in both the third and fourth innings, then tallied 3 runs in the fifth. Calan Bass drove in 2 runs with a double in the fourth inning and Brian Babek drove in 2 runs with a single in the fifth inning.

ENMU regained the lead for good with one run in the bottom of the fifth. Dallas McMann (Fr., C, Amarillo, TX/Randall H.S.) walked with one out. He scored with two outs on a single to center field by Jeff Thibodeaux (Sr., 1B, Apple Valley, CA/Victor Valley H.S.). The Greyhounds added another run in the sixth inning and tallied 3 runs in the eighth to increase their lead to 12-7.

Andy Hostetler (So., CF, Albuquerque, NM/Valley H.S.) drove in the sixth-inning run, and also drove in 2 runs in the eighth. His eighth inning single came with ENMU leading 9-7 and the WTAMU defense pulled in. McMann also singled in a run in the eighth.

West Texas scored the final run in the ninth inning. Pinch hitter Alex Nava recorded the RBI with a single to center field. Joining Masiarek and Faulkner with 3 or more hits for ENMU was Hostetler. He finished the game 3 for 5 with 3 RBIs and 3 runs. McMann and Thibodeaux each went 2 for 3, and Jones was 2 for 5.

West Texas was led by Hangartner, Steve Henderson and Bass, each 2 for 4. ENMU reliever Cory Barker (Jr., RHP, Kelseyville, CA/Mendicino J.C.) pitched 4 1/3 innings to earn his first victory of the season (1-2). Barker allowed just one run and 5 hits. He struck out 5 batters and allowed 4 walks. He struck out Bass with a full count, the bases loaded and ENMU leading by 2 runs in the 7th inning.

Casey Hagameier of WTAMU (0-1) pitched only in the fifth inning, but gave up the go-ahead run and received the loss.

Eastern New Mexico begins LSC South Division play this weekend at Tarleton State University. The Greyhounds will play double-headers against the Texans on Fri., Mar. 24 and on Sat., Mar. 25. Game time is set for 2:00 p.m. (MST) on Friday and 11:00 a.m. (MST) on Saturday.

The Hounds return home for a Tri-State Baseball double-header against College of the Southwest on Mon., Mar. 27 at 4:00 p.m. (MST).