Lubbock Christian Pulls Away from ENMU, 15-7
Chaps Score 10 Runs after 5th Inning of 9-Inning Game

LUBBOCK, TX – Eastern New Mexico and Lubbock Christian University were locked in a 5-5 tie after 5 1/2 innings, but the Chaparrals tallied 10 runs during the next three innings to pull away for a 15-7 victory over the Greyhounds, Feb. 11 at Hays Field. LCU evened its record at 5-5, while ENMU fell to 3-6 overall.

The Chaparrals totaled 18 hits during the game, including 11 during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Shortstop Glen Hedgpeth hit two home runs and contributed two sacrifice flies to finish the game 2 for 2 with three runs and five RBIs. First baseman Justin Galvan recorded four hits in five at bats, while scoring twice and driving in three runs. Designated hitter Derrick Peoples went 3 for 5 and provided three RBIs.

ENMU managed just six hits, but five went for extra bases. Franco Barrero (Sr., 1B, Laredo, TX/Laredo JC) led the way with a home run and a double in three at bats. He scored two runs and supplied three RBIs. Dallas McMann (Sr., C, Amarillo, TX/Randall HS), Chris Hill (Sr., 2B, Boise, ID/Scottsdale CC) and Chris VanZant (Jr., RF/1B, Las Vegas, NV/Victor Valley College) each added a double for ENMU.

LCU took an early 1-0 lead, when Jay Eggemeyer reached base on an error and later scored in the first inning. ENMU countered with two runs in the top of the second on VanZant’s double to left center. Hill, who walked with one out, and Barrero, who walked with two outs, scored on the play.

Hedgpeth blasted his first homer of the game with the bases empty in the third inning. In the top of the fourth, Hill doubled and Barrero homered for ENMU, as the Hounds took a 4-2 lead.

Galvan hit an RBI single and Hedgpeth provided a sacrifice fly, as the Chaparrals tied the game with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth. Galvan also hit an RBI single with two outs in the fifth inning, giving LCU a 5-4 lead.

In Eastern’s half of the sixth inning, Hill walked, advanced to second when Steven Romano (Sr., 3B, Las Cruces, NM/Onate HS) walked, and reached third base when LCU turned a 5-4-3 double play. LCU reliever Joe Miller followed with a balk, allowing Hill to score.

Miller, who did not allow a hit, but gave up three walks in two innings of work, was the winning pitcher. It was his first decision of the season. Freshman reliever Jim Bob Farris (RHP, Cold Springs, TX/Cold Springs HS) suffered his first loss at ENMU (0-1).

The Chaparrals began to pull away from Eastern with four runs in the sixth. Catcher Adrian Ballesteros doubled to open the stanza. LCU added four singles, a walk and a stolen base, while sending nine batters to the plate during the inning.

A two-run homer by Hedgpeth in the seventh inning increased the Chaps’ lead to 11-5. ENMU reduced the lead by one run in the top of the eighth, when McMann doubled to start the inning and Barrero connected for a two-out double to right field. Gilbert Alvarado (Fr., UT, Roswell, NM/Roswell HS), who ran for McMann, scored on the play.

LCU added four runs on five hits in the eighth inning. Rohan Brasher doubled to begin the offensive surge. The Chaps did not hit another extra-base hit, but three RBI singles, plus a sacrifice fly be Hedgpeth, drove in the runs.

Sean Peterson (Jr., SS, Miles City, MT/Scottsdale CC) singled for ENMU in the ninth. He advanced to second base on a passed ball, and scored the game’s final run on a two-base throwing error by Ballesteros.

Three LCU pitchers combined to strike out nine batters and allow five walks. For ENMU, six pitchers recorded a total of five strikeouts and four walks.

Eastern returns to action with its first Lone Star Conference South Division series of the season, at Abilene Christian University on Friday, Feb. 14 and Saturday, Feb. 15. The Hounds and the Wildcats will play one 7-inning and one 9-inning game on Friday, with the first pitch set for 1 p.m. (MST). The teams will play one 9-inning game on Saturday at 11 a.m. (MST) to complete the three- game series.