Athletic Report
February 2, 2001

GREYHOUNDS EDGE TEXANS IN EXTRA INNING
Zipser Scores Winning Run on Dickson’s Single
STEPHENVILLE, TX — Jeff Zipser (Sr., 2B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College) went 3 for 3 and scored the winning run, leading Eastern New Mexico University to a 5-4, 8-inning victory over host Tarleton State University, Feb. 2 in the Texan Club Shootout. The win evened ENMU’s overall and tournament record at 1-1, while TSU fell to 0-2.

ENMU, the home team under the tournament format, trailed 3-0 after 4 1/2 innings, but rallied to tie the game with two runs in the fifth and a single run in the sixth. Eastern, which trailed 4-3 heading into the bottom of the extra inning, was down to its final out when the Hounds put together four consecutive singles to win the game.

Eastern’s last-ditch rally began with a single to right field by Matt Sulli (Jr., LF, Carlsbad, CA/San Diego Mesa College). Zipser, who doubled in the third and hit a 2-run homer in the 5th, followed with a single through the left side, advancing Sulli to third.

Andy Hostetler (Sr., CF, Albuquerque, NM/Valley H.S.) also singled, to score Sulli with the tying run. Hostetler and Zipser wound up at second and third, respectively, after the ball was misplayed in left field. Ryan Dickson (Jr., 1B, Trail, BC, Canada)/Big Bend, C.C.) drove in Zipser with the winning run on a single to right.

Tarleton State scored the game’s first run in the top of the third inning, when shortstop Noel Sauceda walked, stole second base, reached third on a wild pitch and scored on a single by Josh Johnson. Cory Barker (Sr., RHP, Kelseyville, CA/Medicino J.C.), who pitched the third and fourth innings, forced TSU into three consecutive outs to prevent additional scoring.

Sauceda singled off Tim King (Sr., RHP, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) to start the fifth inning for TSU, and scored later in the inning on a wild pitch. Johnson, who singled following Sauceda, reached home with the Texans’ third run on a single by Sergio Guzman.

ENMU scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on Zipser’s homer to left field. Sulli, who reached on a fielder’s choice, also scored on the play. The Texan’s escaped the inning with a 3-2 lead, after ENMU left the bases loaded.

The tying run, which ultimately forced the extra inning, was scored by Dallas McMann (So., C, Amarillo, TX/Randall H.S.) in the sixth. McMann, 2 for 4 during the game, hit a double to open the stanza. A sacrifice bunt by Matt Brown (Sr., DH, Napa, CA/Diablo Valley College) advanced McMann to third. McMann scored when the next batter, shortstop David Jones (Sr., Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona) hit a single to left.

Neither team scored in the seventh, but Tarleton State took the lead in the top of the eighth. Mike Gonzalez grounded out, and Travis Stephens flew out, to start the inning. Right fielder Shaun Shiery batted next, and powered the ball over the left center field fence to give TSU a 4-3 lead. King struck out Bryan Hill to end the inning.

ENMU’s two-out heroics followed in the bottom of the inning, as King (1-0) picked up the win. Starter Gabe DeHoyos (Sr., RHP, Artesia, NM/Trinidad J.C.), plus relievers Barker and King, combined for 8 strikeouts and 4 walks, while limiting the Texans to 7 hits. King struck out 3 batters and walked 1 in 4 innings of work. He allowed 5 hits and 3 earned runs.

TSU starter Brian Platts allowed 3 runs and 7 hits in 6 innings. He struck out 5 batters and gave up 5 walks. Tim Wilson (0-1), who pitched the final 1 2/3 innings, took the loss. The Greyhounds finished the game with 11 hits.

In addition to strong performances from Zipser and McMann, ENMU received 2 hits in 5 at bats from both Hostetler and Dickson. Top hitters for Tarleton were Sauceda, who went 2 for 3, Johnson, who recorded 2 hits in 4 at bats, and Guzman, who also went 2 for 4.