Athletic Report
February 27, 2001

GREYHOUNDS SWEEP DOUBLE-HEADER FROM LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN, 5-2 AND 17-3
PORTALES, NM — Right-handed pitchers Jerry Macias (So., Las Cruces, NM/Las Cruces H.S.) and Cory Barker (Sr., Kelseyville, CA/Mendicino J.C.) allowed just two runs in the opener, and the Eastern New Mexico University offense provided 17 hits in the second game, as ENMU swept Lubbock Christian University, 5-2 and 17-3, Feb. 27 at Greyhound Field.

The Tri-State Baseball wins improved ENMU to 8-10 overall, 2-0 in Tri-State Baseball. LCU fell to 8-11 overall, as the Chaparrals lost to the Greyhounds for the third time in four games.

Macias (1-0) pitched into the sixth inning of the opener to get the win. He allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, and also struck out 2 batters. Barker earned his first save of the season, by recording the game’s final six outs. He allowed 2 hits, but registered 2 strikeouts and did not give up a run. Daniel Cole (1-3) took the loss for LCU.

LCU scored both of its runs in the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. Derek Smith drove in the first run with a double to right field, driving in Jason Breland. Smith scored later in the inning on a double by Drew Dutton. Ray Ibarra tripled during the inning, but was put out at home on an attempted double-steal.

ENMU moved in front in the third stanza. Andy Hostetler (Jr., OF, Albuquerque, NM/ Valley H.S.) drove in the tying and go-ahead runs with a double to center field. Kyle Wagner (Fr., OF, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.), who walked to start the inning, and Matt Sulli (Jr., OF, Carlsbad, CA/San Diego Mesa College), who was hit by a pitch, scored on the play. Steven Romano (So., 3B, Las Cruces, NM/Onate H.S.) singled to score Hostetler later in the inning for a 4-2 ENMU lead.

Sulli scored again after hitting a single to lead off the fifth inning. He stole second base, advanced to third when the catcher’s throw went into the outfield, and scored when the left fielder threw the ball into the ENMU dugout while attempting to record the out at third. For the game, Sulli was 2 for 2 with 2 runs and an RBI.

Six other Greyhounds recorded a hit during the game. LCU was led by Ibarra, who went 3 for 3, and by Dutton, who was 2 for 3.

In the second game, ENMU overcame a 2-0 deficit by scoring 8 runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Hounds produced 6 hits during the stanza, including triples by Eddie Jimenez (Sr., 3B, Tucumcari, NM/N.M. Military Institute) and Dallas McMann (So., C, Amarillo, TX/Randall H.S.). Jimenez drove in one run and McMann drove in two runs.

Designated hitter Luz Leal (So., OF/P, Laredo, TX/Alexander Magnet School) also drove in two runs, as he hit a single up the middle. David Owen hit a solo homer to right field for LCU in the top of the third inning, but the Greyhounds responded with 2 runs in the bottom of the third and 4 runs in the bottom of the fourth.

In the third inning, Leal singled to score Hostetler. Matt Brown (Sr., 1B/C, Napa, CA/ Diablo Valley College) also scored during the inning, on a single by Jeff Zipser (Sr., 2B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College). Sulli and Matt Brown both tripled, earned an RBI and scored in the fourth. Hostetler and McMann each added an RBI single to contribute to the 4-run effort.

When the inning was completed, Eastern led 14-3. The Greyhounds added three runs the rest of the way. David Jones (Sr., SS, Sierra Vista, AZ/Eastern Arizona College) walked and scored in the fifth. Brown doubled and scored, and McMann singled and scored, in the sixth.

Freshman pitcher Ryan Hess (RHP, Surrey, BC/Langley Fine Arts School) threw the first five innings to earn the win and improve to 1-1 on the season. Gabe Estrada (Jr., RHP, Jal, NM/New Mexico J.C.) allowed just one hit over the final two innings to complete the game. LCU starter Clay Berryman (0-1) was the losing pitcher.

Brown was 3 of 4 with 4 runs and an RBI. He earned two extra-base hits, a double and a triple. Zipser was 3 for 4 with a run and 3 RBIs, while McMann added 3 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBIs in 5 at bats. Ibarra was 3 for 3 an drove in 1 run for Lubbock Christian. Owen finished 2 for 3 with a run and 2 RBIs.

The Greyhounds remain at home for a Lone Star Conference weekend series against Texas A&M University-Kingsville. ENMU and TAMUK will play a single, 9-inning game on Friday, Mar. 2 at 2:00 p.m. (MST). The teams will play a pair of 7-inning games on Saturday, Mar. 3 at 12:00 noon (MST).