ENMU Watches Three-Run Lead Disappear in Ninth Inning, as Texas A&M-Kingsville Wins 5-4 to Start Double-Header Sweep
Clabaugh Gets No Decision Despite 3-Hitter Through Eight Innings

Game #1 - TAMUK 5, ENMU 4
Game #2 - TAMUK 9, ENMU 2

KINGSVILLE, TEXAS — Freshman pitcher Seth Clabaugh (LHP, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) gave up just three hits and one run during an eight-inning performance on Friday, April 28, as ENMU built a 4-1 lead, but Texas A&M University-Kingsville scored four times in the bottom of the ninth for a 5-4 victory. The triumph in the first game of the Lone Star Conference double-header started the Javelinas on their way to a sweep of the twinbill. TAMUK won the second game, 9-2, to improve to 34-18 overall, 8-10 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 23-31, including 5-13 in the LSC South.

All of Kingsville's runs in the ninth inning were unearned, following an ENMU error with one out in the inning. The Javelinas also benefited from two infield singles and two walks during the stanza. Will Alexander singled to right field to bring home Adam Rondou with the winning run.

Chris White (9-2) threw 165 pitches to record a complete-game victory for the Javelinas. Keith Balderaz (So., RHP, Monahans, TX/Monahans HS) fell to 3-2 with the loss and remained tied for the ENMU single season record with eight saves.

ENMU took a 3-0 lead in the third inning after the first two Greyhounds hit into outs. Ryan French (Sr., CF, Carlsbad, NM/Trinidad State JC) started the rally with a double down the right field line. Gilbert Alvarado (Sr., LF, Roswell, NM/New Mexico State University) and Derrick Kennedy (So., 3B, San Antonio, TX/G.W. Brackenridge HS) walked to load the bases, then Justin Gee (Sr., RF, Clovis, NM/Clovis HS) was hit by the next pitch to drive in French with the game's first run. Mike McDuffie (Jr., 2B, Albuquerque, NM/Sandia HS) followed with a two-RBI single.

Kingsville pulled within 3-1 when Adam Sweet his his seventh home run of the season with one out in the seventh inning. His solo shot went over the left field fence.

The Greyhounds tacked on one run in the top of the ninth. With one out, Kennedy singled up the middle. He later scored from first on a two-out double by McDuffie. Tim Crafton (Jr., OF, Farmington, NM/New Mexico Military Institute) was hit by a pitch, but ENMU left two runners on base when White struck out Green to end the inning.

Taylor Richards was 2 for 2 for TAMU-Kingsville in the opener. He was the only Javelina with more than one hit, as the Greyhounds recorded 11 hits to just six hits for TAMUK. Kennedy went 3 for 4 and scored twice for ENMU. French, Gee, McDuffie and Green each earned two hits, with Kennedy scoring twice and McDuffie earning three RBIs.

TAMU-Kingsville never trailed in the second game. The Javelinas tallied three runs in the first inning of ENMU starter David Swinconos (Sr., LHP, Lubbock, TX/Frenship HS). Later, the Javs pushed across single runs in the third and fourth innings, then added four runs in the fifth. Steve Yaden and Rondou each provided RBI singles in the first stanza, while Richards provided an RBI double in the third and J.M. Devarie blasted a solo home in the fourth.

All of Kingsville's runs in the fifth inning came with two outs. Two walks and a single loaded the bases, then another walk, issued to Alexander, drove in the first run. Devarie also walked, pushing across the second run. An error by Kennedy at third, allowed the final two runs to reach the plate.

ENMU scored both of its runs in the top fothe seventh. Casey Bigham (Fr., 1B, New Deal, TX/New Deal HS) was hit by a pitch to open the inning. An error allowed pinch-runner Stephen Lopez-Barela (Fr., SS, Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo HS) to reach second base safelty, while pinch-hitter Tyler Brown (Sr., C, Aurora, CO/Arapahoe CC) went to first. Matt Hinojosa (Sr., SS, Baytown, TX/Laredo CC) drove home Lopez-Barela with a single. A fielder's choice left runners at first and third, then Alvarado hit a sacrifice fly to center field, as Brown scored for the Gryehounds.

Kingsville outhit ENMU, 9-7. Richards was 2 for 3 and Yaden was 2 for 4. Eastern's top hitters were Kennedy, who went 2 for 4 with a double, and Clabaugh, who also doubled by going 2 for 3.

The teams will conclude the four-game series with another double-header on Saturday, April 29. Action in the first game is set to start at 1 p.m. (MDT).