Athletic Report
February 16, 2001

GREYHOUNDS RALLY IN SECOND GAME TO SPLIT DOUBLE-HEADER WITH TEXANS
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University rallied from a 3-2 deficit after 4 1/2 innings, and went on to defeat visiting Tarleton State University, 5-4, in the second game of a Lone Star Conference double-header, Feb. 16 at Greyhound Field. With the win, ENMU split the double-header.

TSU won the first game 5-0 on a complete game 4-hitter from Brian Platts. The win also improved the Greyhounds to 4-6 overall and 1-1 in the LSC South. Tarleton State, defending LSC South co-champion, moved to 1-6 on the season, 1-1 in the LSC South.

ENMU trailed 3-2 in the second game after the Texans scored twice in the top of the fifth inning. The Texans earned three singles during the inning, but also benefited from an error and a walk. Noel Sauceda and Elton Emiliano scored for TSU.

Matt Sulli (Jr., OF, Carlsbad, CA/San Diego Mesa College) was involved in both runs for ENMU in the bottom of the inning. Xarin Escobedo (Jr., SS/2B, Mexico City, Mexico/El Paso C.C.) singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch to start the inning. One out later, Sulli hit a single to center field to score Escobedo with the tying run. Sulli scored the go-ahead run on a two-out single by Andy Hostetler.

The Greyhounds added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Matt Brown (Sr., C/1B, Napa, CA/Diablo Valley College) singled with one out. He advanced to second on a wild pitch, reached third on a groundout by Escobedo and scored on another wild pitch.

Trailing 5-3 at the start of the seventh inning, Tarleton State scored one run to cut the deficit in half, but the Texans were unable to force extra innings. Scott Harrington singled, advanced two bases on wild pitches and scored on a one-out single by Matt Thaler.

The Hounds escaped the inning when Cory Barker (Sr., P, Kelseyville, CA/Mendicino J.C.) got Bryan Hill to hit into a double play. Barker (1-0), who pitched the final 2 2/3 innings, and allowed 1 run on 3 hits, earned the victory for ENMU. Pacer Bourland (0-2) allowed just 5 hits, but received the loss.

TSU received 2 hits apiece from Noel Sauceda and Scott Harrington, as the Texans finished with 10 hits — all singles. Tarleton’s offense was offset by Hostetler, whose timely hits resulted in three runners crossing the plate. Hostetler was 2 for 3 during the game. In the first game, Platts limited Eastern New Mexico to four singles. He dropped his team-leading earned run average to 1.69 and increased his season strikeout total to 15 in 16 innings.

ENMU left 6 runners on base, including two stranded at third. The Greyhounds also hit into two double plays. Sulli, Brown, Ryan Dickson (Jr., 1B/DH, Trail, BC/Big Bend C.C.) and Dallas McMann (So., C/RF, Amarillo, TX/Randall H.S.) each earned one hit for ENMU.

TSU took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Sauceda walked, and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Emiliano. Craig Darder also walked with two outs to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved up a base on a wild pitch, then scored on a single by Shaun Shiery.

The Texans scored three more times in the fifth inning. TSU registered four hits during the stanza, with Scott Harrington hitting a double and Darder providing a 2-run single.

The Texans also received a sacrifice bunt from Matt Moseley and an RBI groundout from Sauceda. Shiery led all players with 3 hits in 3 at bats during the game. Harrington finished 1 for 4, while Emiliano, Darder and Travis Stephens all went 1 for 3 for TSU.

ENMU and TSU will conclude the weekend series on Saturday, Feb. 17, with one 9-inning game. First pitch at Greyhound Field is scheduled for 12:00 noon (MST).