Athletic Report
April 4, 2001

ENMU DOWNS 24TH-RANKED NMHU, 16-11
Jones Is 4 for 5 with 3 Runs and 4 RBIs
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University scored 7 runs in the fourth inning to take a 10-2 lead, on to on its way to a 16-11 win over 24th-ranked New Mexico Highlands University, Apr. 4 at Greyhound Field. ENMU improved to 16-23 with the victory, while NMHU fell to 21-7 with the loss.

The Greyhounds built a 3-1 lead in the first two innings. In the bottom of the first, David Jones (Sr., SS/OF, Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona College) hit a leadoff triple to left center, and scored later in the inning. NMHU evened the game at 1-1 when Matt Planeta tripled to center field, and eventually scored in the top of the second. A double by Steven Romano (So., 3B, Las Cruces, NM/Onate H.S.), a single by Kyle Wagner (Fr., OF, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.), and a double by Jones led to two ENMU runs with two outs in the third.

Jones finished the game 4 for 5 with two singles, a double and a triple. He hit a deep fly ball to center field in the fifth inning, but missed out on hitting for the cycle. Even so, he scored 3 runs and achieved 4 RBIs.

After neither team scored in the third inning, the Cowboys cut their deficit to 3-2 with a run in the top of the fourth. Nick Giacone walked, advanced to third on a single by Planeta, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Paul Hill. ENMU’s 7-run outburst in the bottom of the fourth gave the Greyhounds control of the game.

The inning featured 6 singles, including a 2-run single by Matt Brown (Sr., C, Napa, CA/Diablo Valley College). ENMU also benefited from 3 wild pitches, all of which brought in a run. Highlands committed one error during the inning. All 7 runs were scored with two outs. The Hounds led 11-2 after five innings and held a 12-4 lead after six innings.

ENMU starter Tim King (Sr., RHP, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) left following the sixth inning, and receive the win, to improve to 3-5 on the season. He struck out 5 batters and allowed 6 hits. New Mexico Highlands tallied four runs in the seventh stanza — two on a Planeta’s second triple of the game — but ENMU answered with four runs in the eighth. NMHU closed out the scoring with three runs in the top of the ninth.

Jones led five Greyhounds with multiple-hit performances. Jeff Zipser (Sr., 2B/SS, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College) was 2 for 5 with 2 runs and 2 doubles. Romano finished 2 for 4, and scored 3 times. Dallas McMann (So., C, Amarillo, TX, Randall H.S.) went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Andy Hostetler (Jr., OF, Albuquerque, NM/Valley H.S.) added 2 hits and 2 runs in 4 at bats.

Planeta earned 3 hits in 4 at bats for NMHU. He hit two triples, drove in 2 runs and scored 2 runs. Anthony Dunn added 3 hits in 5 at bats, and led NMHU with 3 RBIs. Rich Rodriguez and Giacone each scored twice for the Cowboys.

The Greyhounds outhit Highlands, 15-11, and the ENMU pitching staff struck out nine Cowboys. NMHU used six pitchers, but Ronnie Jaramillo, who took the loss after throwing in the first two innings, recorded Highlands’ only strikeout of the game. Jaramillo dropped to 6-2 on the season.

Eastern returns to action on Friday, Apr. 6, with a double-header against the College of the Southwest. Game time at Greyhound Field is set for 1:00 p.m. (MDT). The double-header was originally scheduled for Mar. 27, but was postponed due to the weather.