Cruce, Ulibarri and Swisher Sign National Letters-of-Intent to Play Baseball for Eastern New Mexico University

PORTALES, N.M. — Sean Cruce, a 6’2” 185-pound middle infielder, and Matt Ulibarri, a 5’11” 175-pound outfielder, both from Clovis High School in Clovis, N.M., and Damion Swisher, a 5’10” 175-pound left-handed pitcher from Phoenix College in Phoenix, Ariz., have signed National Letters-of-Intent to play for the Eastern New Mexico University baseball team. Cruce and Ulibarri will be freshmen and Swisher will be a junior for the Greyhounds and Head Coach Phil Clabaugh during the 2007 season.

The ENMU baseball team finished with a 24-32 overall record this spring, including 6-14 in the LSC South (5th place), after opening the season with a school-best 16-4 record. The Hounds scored 10 or more runs 16 times, while seven Greyhounds hit over .300 for the season.

Sean Cruce
Second Base/Shortstop, 6’2”, 185 lbs.
Clovis, New Mexico (Clovis High School)

Cruce has the skills needed to play any infield position, including pitcher and catcher, but will see action primarily at second base or shortstop. In addition to playing in the middle infield, he also pitched at Clovis HS. As a pitcher, one of his key wins was an 8-0 victory over district rival Carlsbad High School. During his sophomore season in 2004, Cruce started at second base in the New Mexico Class 5A State Championship game.

“Sean is one of the few high school players who I have talked to who understands the Lone Star Conference (his brother, Richard Cruce, played second base at West Texas A&M University in the LSC),” Clabaugh noted. “That gives him a leg up. He’s a heady, intelligent player, anyway, and I think his understanding of the league plays right into that.”

Matt Ulibarri
Outfielder , 5 ’11”, 175 lbs.
Clovis, New Mexico (Clovis High School)

Ulibarri played in the outfield at Clovis HS. He saw most of his action in center field, where he was a starter when the Wildcats played in the 2004 State Championship game. His athletic abilities give him great range as an outfield player and he has the power to make significant contributions on offense.

“He really covers some ground in the outfield,” Clabaugh said. “He has some pop in his bat and runs very well. It’s a matter of how quickly he adapts tot he short game (bunting) ... then he’s got the chance to be an impact player.”

Damion Swisher
Left-Handed Pitcher, 5’10”, 175 lbs.
Gilbert, Arizona (Phoenix College)

Swisher was a key pitcher at Phoenix College the past two seasons. He previously played at Higley High School in Gilbert, Ariz. He helped Higley HS reach the Arizona Class 3A State Championship game. Phoenix College competes in Division II of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

“What he has done in the past tells us that he is going to throw the curveball and the fastball for strikes,” Clabaugh said. “We are looking for him to challenge for a spot in our starting rotation.”