PORTALES, NM – The Eastern New Mexico University baseball team was unable to bounce back from an early 4-0 deficit en-route to a 9-2 loss to Tarleton State on Friday night at Greyhound Field. The Greyhounds move to 24-11 on the year and 2-5 in Lone Star Conference action.
 
Right fielder Zach Shank provided a spark to the offense, going 1-for-4 with a two run single while catcher Gabriel Vargas went 1-for-3 with a double and a walk. On the mound, Lane Saunders scattered two hits and a walk for an unearned run over the final three innings of relief.
 
Early in the game, starting pitcher Scott Klein (L, 4-3) struggled with his command, leading to four Texans runs in the first two innings. The right-hander finished with five hits, four runs (three earned) while walking six and striking out five over four innings of work.
 
In the bottom of the fourth, ENMU cut the Tarleton lead in half to move the score to 4-2. Second baseman Alex DeLaCruz singled into left to start the frame and moved up to second on a bobble by the Texans' left fielder. Shortstop Endy Villalona grounded out to the right-side of the infield, allowing DeLaCruz to advance to third. Following a walk to Garlind Webster, Mike McNicholl legged out an infield single to third to load the bases. Shank rifled a single into the right-center alley to score a pair, but a strikeout would end the 'Hounds threat.
 
Tarleton would respond with two runs in the top of the fifth and three in the top of the seventh to put the game out of reach. Texans starter, Nathan Hickey (W, 5-2), kept the potent ENMU offense in check for much of the night, allowing the two runs on eight hits with a pair of walks over eight innings of work.
 
The Greyhounds return to the diamond tomorrow for a double-header against Tarleton State. First pitch with the Texans is tabbed for 1 p.m. on Saturday.  For all the latest news on ENMU athletics, follow @ENMUBaseball and @ENMUAthletics on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.