PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico University baseball team (27-11, 5-5 LSC) makes the 650-mile trip to South Texas this week to take on Texas A&M-Kingsville (20-10, 6-2 LSC) in a four-game Lone Star Conference matchup. The Greyhounds are currently in fourth-place in the Lone Star Conference standings and lead Cameron by one game.
 
ENMU is coming off a series win against Tarleton State this past weekend, winning the final three games against the Texans at Greyhound Field. The Javelinas come into the matchup after splitting with third-ranked Angelo State on the road.
 
As a team, the Greyhounds are hitting .306 in Lone Star Conference play, the second-highest in the league behind Kingsville while the pitching staff has the second-most strikeouts behind West Texas A&M.
 
Offensively, Alex DeLaCruz has provided a spark for the Greyhounds offense, hitting .441 with 11 doubles, one triple, five home runs and 30 RBI. The second baseman ranks in the top five in the LSC in virtually every offensive category. Outfielder Mike McNicholl is hovering near the .400 mark, hitting .391 on the season with seven homers and 49 RBI.
 
On the mound, Scott Klein (4-3, 4.54 ERA), Austin Paisar (4-2, 2.47 ERA), Keenan Dodd (6-1, 2.14 ERA) and Nick DeArmond (3-1, 3.98 ERA) are expected to get the starts for Eastern. Dodd leads the team with six wins and his 2.14 ERA is the lowest among starting pitchers. Dwight Velarde turned in a gutsy performance this past weekend, earning a save and a win over the Texans. In nine release appearances, Velarde has a 3-1 record to go along with a 3.75 ERA.
 
Next weekend, the Hounds host Angelo State for the final homestand of the regular season. For all the latest news on ENMU athletics, follow @ENMUBaseball and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.