PORTALES, N.M. – Six runs in the sixth inning propelled Eastern New Mexico Baseball past Texas A&M International, 8-6, on Sunday afternoon at Greyhound Baseball Stadium. With the getaway game win, Eastern claims the series 3-1 against the Dustdevils. The Greyhounds improve to 3-5 overall on the season (3-5 LSC), while TAMIU move to 1-7 overall (1-7 LSC).

The visiting team took advantage of free bases in the opening inning, scoring a run on a bases loaded single. However, ENMU escaped any further damage with a double-play to get out of the inning. TAMIU came back for more in the second inning, plating three runs on three base hits and a walk. The ENMU defense got out of the inning again with a double-play, but trailed 4-0 heading to the bottom of the second.
 
Dylan Hummel brought in the first run for the Greyhounds after a triple. Nick Schifftner reached base on a hit by pitch, allowing Hummel to score the senior on a deep drive to center field. Shortly after, Braeton Matthews produced and RBI groundout to set the score at 4-2. Both offenses stalled for the next three innings, with just two hits between the innings.
 
The Greyhounds broke open the contest in the sixth inning, as Eastern hung six runs on the Dustdevils in the sixth frame. Hummel and Willie Ponce each singled to start the hitting spree, then B. Matthews reached on a hit by pitch. Rutger Poiry poked a single through the left side to score one run, 4-3 TAMIU, then Demetrio Archuleta singled to center field to score two more runs. After a pitching change with runners on the corners, Camden Matthews cleared the bases with a triple to deep right center field. Cooper Hamilton singled C. Matthews home to put the Greyhounds ahead 8-4.
 
The Dustdevils tried to fight back with two runs in the eighth inning, but Vernon Hart closed out the contest with a 1-2-3 ninth inning. Eastern finished the series win over the Dustdevils, 8-6, and taking the series, 3-1.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds picked up eight hits in the contest, including six hits in the sixth inning. Texas A&M International ended up with more hits in the game (10) but stranded 13 runners on base.
• Eastern scattered six singles with two triples in the game, with six different batters posting a hit.
• Six different ENMU batters recorded an RBI, with a pair of Hounds collecting two RBI's.
• Hummel finished 3-4 in the contest, scoring two runs with an RBI. C. Matthews picked up two RBI's on his triple, with Archuleta also collecting a pair RBI's from his hit.
• Damian Acosta registered the win in 6.0 innings of relief, allowing two runs on six hits, but recording eight strikeouts. Dalton Thatcher gets a no decision, tossing 1.1 innings and giving up four runs. Hart shut things down in his save, facing six batters and inducing five outs
• The Dustdevils had five pitchers stride the rubber during the game. Danny Dial went 4.0 innings as the staring pitcher. Andrew Pavon is given the loss after five earned runs in one inning on the mound. Emilo Duque, Mario Garcia, and Resse Petersen all featured in the game, entering in the sixth inning.

FROM THE SOURCE

"We didn't have a great start to the day on both sides of the ball, but they gave us an opportunity for a big inning we took advantage of it," said Head Baseball Coach Riley Price. "Acosta came in and worked out of a few self-inflicted jams, but held them just enough for Hart to come in and close the door, which was great to see from a senior captain in a big moment," said Price. "Not the cleanest baseball this weekend, but dugout energy was rocking, and we found a way to take the series. Really proud of Hummel, as he really sparked the lineup and made some great plays defensively for us," said Price. "We need to get a few more bats hot and handle our business defensively going into this next series with Kingsville. Thanks to all who came out to support us this weekend and GO HOUNDS!"

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• ENMU pick up a four-game series win against TAMIU for the first time in the history between the two programs.
• Acosta registered a season high eight strikeouts, along with his first win of the season. Hart picked up his first career save for the Greyhounds.
• Hummel posted a season high three hits (a triple and two singles). Archuleta tied a season best two RBI's, and Camden Matthews picked up this first two RBI's of the season.
• Rutger Poiry posted his first hit and RBI in his Greyhound career.
• Eastern now head out on the road as they will play Texas A&M-Kingsville in a four-game series. The series will feature two nine innings contests, on Friday and Sunday, along with a doubleheader of seven inning games on Saturday.