PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico University baseball team welcomes third-ranked West Texas A&M to the friendly-confines of Greyhound Field on Friday to open up a four-game tilt to start Lone Star Conference play. The Greyhounds currently sit at 21-5 on the year with the 21 wins the second most in NCAA Division II.
 
The Greyhounds boast one of the nation's most prolific offenses, ranking in the top-10 in walks (seventh), average (eighth), hits allowed/9.0 IP (first), on-base percentage (third), runs (third), scoring (sixth), strikeouts/9.0 IP (second), and WHIP (fifth). As a team, ENMU is averaging 9.9 runs/game and hitting at a .349 clip. The 2017 ENMU pitching staff has already recorded the third-most shutouts in team history and needs just two more to match the most in the program.
 
Infielders Alex DeLaCruz and Endy Villalona have been on a tear these past three weeks, with each registering a 10+ game hitting streak. DeLaCruz is on an 11-game run and has 15 multi-hit games. Villalona boasts the teams longest streak of reaching base safely at 15 games. Outfielder Michael McNicholl has been a major contributor at the dish, driving home a LSC-leading 43 runs, including 10 games of driving in multiple runs.
 
ENMU Probable Starting Rotation
Game 1 – Scott Klein (RHP, 4-1, 4.08 ERA)
Klein is expected to get the nod in Friday's matchup. The right-hander leads the team with 28.2 innings, 43 strikeouts and is holding opposing hitters to a .155 average. Last weekend, the Cleveland, Ohio, native took a no-decision in the matchup with UTPB, going 5.0 innings and scattering four hits and two walks for a pair of runs with nine strikeouts.
 
Game 2 – Austin Paisar (RHP, 2-1, 2.70 ERA)
Paisar got the nod in the first game of the double header last Saturday against the Falcons. The Leopolis, Wisc., native took a no-decision in the 11-inning affair after going 4.0 innings, allowing one earned run with a pair of strikeouts. In his six starts, Paisar is holding hitters to a meager .226 average and boasts a 2.70 ERA.
 
Game 3 – Keenan Dodd (RHP, 4-1, 2.08 ERA)
Dodd earned the win in game two's shutout of UTPB, allowing just one baserunner in 5.0 innings of work. The Albuquerque, NM, native has allowed just nine hits and three earned runs in his last 15.0 innings of work while striking out 20.
 
Game 4 – Bryce Welborn (RHP, 4-0, 4.45 ERA)
Welborn has earned the win in four of his last five appearances. In games that the junior makes an appearance, ENMU has averaged 16.2 runs/games, scoring at least 12 in every contest. The Spring, Texas, native turned in his longest outing of the season, going 6.2 innings while surrendering two earned runs on four hits with five strikeouts.
 
Scouting West Texas A&M
The Buffs enter the weekend with an 18-4 record. Nick Canas and Jimmy Cubillos have been the top hitters for WT, with each hitting at a .431 clip. Marshall Kasowski leads the Buffs with a 4-2 record and a 2.06 ERA over six starts.
 
Next weekend, ENMU hits the road to Lawton, Okla., for a LSC matchup with Cameron. For all the latest news on ENMU athletics, follow @ENMUBaseball and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.