Friday, April 10, 2015

PORTALES, N.M. — Justin Paul (Jr., Papillion, Neb. / Highland Community College) of the Eastern New Mexico University baseball team prolonged his hitting streak Saturday, in a 2-1 loss to in-conference rival West Texas A&M University.

Paul hold the longest active hitting streak on the team, with seven consecutive games recording at least one hit.  The junior is hitting a team leading .337 on the season for the Greyhounds (11-22, 7-14), recording one hit in the close loss to the Buffaloes (24-13, 15-9).

Blake Cooper (R-Sr., Long Beach, Calif. / Long Beach Wilson High School / Golden West College) drove in the single run for ENMU in the fourth inning, to take a 1-0 lead in the contest.  The Buffaloes responded with a run of their own in the top of the sixth and cemented their win with a solo run scored in the ninth. 

"Cooper drove in a run to get us going and Paul got a big hit for the double which helped us out," said ENMU head coach Dave Gomez.  "We had a handful of opportunities and we were right there to win the game."

Mike Peters (Sr., Columbia, Miss. / Alcorn State University) was hung with the loss, but the senior pitcher has nothing to be ashamed about, pitching a complete nine inning game giving up only one earned run and striking out five batters.  Peters was very efficient from the mound during the game, only throwing 108 pitches.

"Peters pitched really well, gave us the complete game which is what we were looking for.  To throw a nine inning game like that is an accomplishment," said Gomez.

Three errors on the evening proved costly for the Greyhounds, with the tying run being scored in an inning with two errors being recorded.  The usually sure-handed ENMU team fielded the ball well during the game except for the three errors, making several spectacular catches in the outfield and turning two double plays on the night.

The Greyhounds will continue their series against West Texas Saturday with a doubleheader.  The first pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.