Athletic Report
April 21, 2001

TEXANS DEFEAT GREYHOUNDS 7-4
Escobedo Hits 3-Run Homer for ENMU
STEPHENVILLE, TX — Shaun Shiery threw a complete-game 7-hitter to lead Tarleton State University to a 7-4 victory over visiting Eastern New Mexico University, on Saturday, Apr. 21 at Cecil Ballow Field. Shiery struck out 7 batters and gave up just one walk, helping TSU improve to 18-30 overall and to 10-13 in the LSC South (3rd place). ENMU concluded its season at 25-28, including 10-14 in the LSC South (4th place).

TSU scored once in the second inning and tallied two runs in the third stanza for a 3-0 advantage. The first run was scored by Byron Anderson on a solo homer to left center. It was his second home run of the 3-game series.

In the third inning, Noel Sauceda walked and eventually scored on a ground out by Scott Harrington. Josh Johnson, who hit a bunt single with Sauceda on first, scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. Elton Emiliano of Tarleton State added a solo homer with one out in the fifth inning to start a 4-run outburst for the Texans. Shiery, who went 2 for 4 at the plate, hit a 2-RBI double three batters later, then scored the final TSU run when right fielder Brian Hill reached first base on a two-out fielding error.

ENMU scored all four of its run in the top of the sixth. Matt Sulli (Jr., OF, Carlsbad, CA/ San Diego Mesa College) and Matt Brown (Sr., C/1B, Napa, CA/Diablo Valley College) hit back-to-back singles to open the stanza. Xarin Escobedo (Jr., SS/2B, Mexico City, MEX/El Paso C.C.) belted a 3-run homer to left field driving in Sulli and Brown in the process. It was Escobedo’s third home run of the season.

David Jones (Sr., CF/SS, Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona College) followed with ENMU’s fourth straight hit — a single to center field. Jeff Zipser (Sr., 2B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College) also singled, but was thrown out at second when Dallas McMann (So., DH/C, Amarillo, TX/Randall H.S.) grounded into a fielder’s choice. Jones scored when the second baseman, who recorded the out on Zipser, made a throwing error trying to complete a double play.

Shiery gave up just one hit the rest of the way, as he improved to 3-4 on the season. Relief pitcher Jerry Macias (So., RHP, Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces H.S.) of ENMU threw the final three innings for the Greyhounds, and did not allow a hit. He struck out three batters and allowed one walk. Tim King (Sr., RHP, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.), Eastern’s starting pitcher, struck out 5 batters, but gave up 9 hits and 2 walks.

Four of the hits came in the fifth inning, when the Texans extended their lead to 7-0. King was credited with all 7 runs (6 earned) and fell to 3-6 on the season. Shiery was joined by Anderson with 2 hits in 4 at bats for Tarleton State. Five other Texans added one hit apiece. ENMU’s seven hits came from seven different players. Escobedo was 1 for 2 with a homer and a walk for the Greyhounds.

Although Eastern finished the season three games below .500, the Greyhounds were 11-5 in their final 16 games. ENMU tied a school record by playing in 16 one-run games, and tied another record with 11 one-run losses. The Hounds were 5-13 in games decided by one run or in extra innings.