Friday, February 20, 2015

MIDLAND, TEXAS — After scoring three runs to open up the game, The Eastern New Mexico baseball team (3-6) failed to hold the lead against Lubbock Christian University (6-5) Friday and eventually lost 7-1.

To lead off for the Greyhounds Matthew Burks (Sr., Vacaville, Calif. / Diablo Valley College) doubled to left field and after a fly ball to advance him to third, the senior was driven in by Blake Cooper (Sr., Long Beach, Calif. / Long Beach Wilson HS / Golden West College) on a single to center field.  After a fortunate error by the Chaps advancing Cooper and another Greyhound, Justin Paul (Jr., Papillion, Neb. / Highland CC) singled to left driving in two more runs and giving Eastern the 3-0 lead.

Then the Greyhounds bats went silent as they would go the next four innings without a hit, recording only two more hits through the remaining eight innings.  Lubbock Christian however had a three run inning in the third, followed by what would be the winning at bat where they scored four additional runs in the bottom of the eighth. 

Cody Pope (Kingman, Ariz. / Williston State College) received the loss for the Greyhounds, putting in 7.1 innings of work from the mound while giving up six hits and six runs, three of which were earned.  The Eastern Ace did tie his career-high in strikeouts with 10, giving him 24 total on the season.  His 2.33 ERA leads the team.

Cooper finished the game as the only Greyhound with multiple hits, recording three for the game.  The stalwart senior leads Eastern from the plate, with a .400 average.  His season total of 14 hits is second on the team.

The Greyhounds continue their series with Lubbock Christian Saturday during a double header .  The first pitch of the double header is scheduled tomorrow for 12:00 p.m.