PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Baseball opened its home series against Texas A&M International with a 9-3 victory over the Dustdevils. The Greyhounds pick up their first win of the season, moving to 1-4 on the season with an identical conference record. TAMIU will have to wait for its first win of the season, standing at 0-5 overall and in conference play.

The Dustdevils struck first in the second inning after a walk and back-to-back singles brought home the game's first run. Eastern responded in the bottom of the inning, with Dylan Hummel poking a triple to the opposite field to get a Greyhound on the bases. Willie Ponce brought Hummel to the plate after reaching on an error to tie the game at 1-1.
 
Both teams went scoreless over the next two innings, with each team turning a double-play in the field. TAMIU jumped back in front picking up two runs in the fifth frame. A bases loaded single gave the Dustdevils a 2-1 lead, then a sacrifice fly pushed the lead to 3-1. The Greyhounds were able to get back one run, with Nick Schifftner doubling to right field and scoring following an error from the Texas A&M International defense.
 
Following a pitching change from the Dustdevils in the middle of the seventh inning, the Greyhounds took full advantage to surge past TAMIU. Cooper Hamilton, Jonatan Clough, and Schifftner all reached base with one out for Spencer Roach. Roach worked a walk to tie the contest at 3-3, then Hummel produced a base on balls to give ENMU a 4-3 lead. The scoring continued as Ponce reached on a hit by pitch, then Demetrio Archuleta brought home two runs with a single to right center. The big inning ended for with Hamilton picking up two runs on a single through the right side. The Greyhounds picked up seven runs on two hits, four walks, and two hit by pitches to go up 9-3.
 
Julian Lopez closed things out on the mound in the final two innings, allowing just one hit over the final two innings and picking up a pair of strikeouts. The Greyhounds ended the night with a 9-3 victory over the Dustdevils.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds outhit the Dustdevils, 9-7, in the game.
• Six different Greyhounds picked up a hit, with three hitters posting more than one hit.
• Overall, five different ENMU batters recorded an RBI, with three posting two runs batted in.
• Schifftner supplied a double and single, while Clough and Archuleta each scored two singles.
• Adrian Rubio is dealt a no decision, tossing six full innings, allowing three runs (one earned run) with four K's. Lopez registers the win after three scoreless innings, allowing one hit and three punchouts.
• For the Dustdevils, Cody Templeton finished six innings giving up six hits and two runs. Jose Garza-Delapena is awarded the loss, giving up three runs in a third of an inning. Issac Ponce faced two batters, giving up two runs, while Adrian Talavera finished the game giving up two runs in 1.2 innings.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Always nice to win that first one at home," said Head Baseball Coach Riley Price. "Adrian (Rubio) didn't have the best start, but he minimized enough to keep us right their in it. We must clean it up on defense and limit the free bases," said Price. "Fortunately, they made more mistakes than we did late in the game, and we took advantage of them. Julian (Lopez) was lights out from the bullpen for us and led us to the win," said Price. "I'm excited for two more games tomorrow".

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Eastern bested the Dustdevils for the first time at home since 2020, when ENMU picked up 9-6 victory over TAMIU. The Greyhounds ended a five-game losing skid against Texas A&M International with the win.
• Archuleta produced his first RBI's as a Greyhound, while Hamilton plated his first RBIs of the season. Clough found his second multi-hit game of the season, while Hummel secured his first career triple and first career RBI.
• Lopez supplied his first career win in relief, also setting a season high 3.0 innings pitched and three strikeouts in his outing.
• The Greyhounds continue the series on Saturday, Feb. 11, with a pair of seven inning contests against the Dustdevils. First pitch of game one is set for 2 p.m.