SAN ANGELO, Texas – Eastern New Mexico Baseball were held in a pair of games against #5 Angelo State University, 5-1 in game one, and 17-1 in game two, on Saturday afternoon at Foster Field. ENMU slip to 0-3 on the season with an identical LSC record, and ASU move to 3-0 overall and in conference.

GAME ONE: ASU 5, ENMU 1

Both teams put runners on base in the second inning, with the Rams able to capitalize. ENMU loaded the bases with two outs, following a pair of walks and a hit by pitch, but weren't able to push a runner home. The Rams were able to send runs home, after a single to center field brought home a runner on second base. ASU tallied another run in the third inning to hold a 2-0 lead after three full innings.

The Rams tacked on three runs in the fifth frame after taking advantage of a bases loaded situation. A single, hit by pitch, and walk allowed a single through the left side to score to one. Then, a deep sacrifice fly brought home two runs to go ahead 5-0.
 
After being held in the first six innings, the Hounds offense started to click in the final inning. Willie Ponce led off the inning with a home run to right field to get the Greyhounds on the board. Dylan Hummel followed a double to opposite field to get a runner in scoring position. After a hit by pitch put Jayden Martinez on base, and Camden Matthews singled to right field, Eastern had the bases loaded with the tying run at the plate with one out. However, ASU were able to record a strikeout and induce a fly out to end the game 5-1 ASU.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds finished with four hits, from four different Greyhounds.
• Ponce scored the teams only run from a homerun, while Hummel and Jonatan Clough each had a double in the game.
• Adrian Rubio had a solid debut in the loss for the Greyhounds, tossing five innings and allowing five runs (three earned), with three strikeouts. Julian Lopez tossed a 1-2-3 inning for Eastern, picking up a punchout.
• Kade Bragg collected the win for the Rams, throw six scoreless innings with 10 K's. Jackson Haga faced two batters, while Hunter Mayo ended the game with a one inning pitched and two strikeouts.

GAME TWO: ASU 17, ENMU 1

Angelo State struck first in the second inning with a pair of extra base hits. A triple, followed by a homerun put the Rams ahead 2-0. The Greyhounds had a pair of runners in scoring position in the top of the third inning, but weren't able to take advantage as the Rams forced a fly out. From then, the Rams started to connect at the plate and push runs across the plate. Angelo State went up 6-0 after a five run third inning, scoring the runs on five hits.
 
Clough began the fourth inning with a homerun to get the Greyhounds on the board, sending a rocket over the left-center field fence. However, Angelo State replied with five runs in the bottom of the frame, 12-1. The Rams kept scoring in the fifth inning, adding five more runs to go ahead 17-1 over ENMU. The Greyhounds had two base runners in the last two innings, as the Rams finished the game with a 17-1 win over ENMU.

NOTABLE STATS

• Three of the four base hits from the Greyhounds were extra base hits. C. Matthews posted a single, Spencer Roach recorded a double, Ponce posted a triple, and Clough provided the homerun.
• Ruger Bravo takes the loss, throwing 3.1 innings, with 12 runs allowed (seven earned) on 10 hits. Reed Carter tossed one inning, Noah Rodriguez went 0.2 inning on the hill, and Javier Luna struck out two of the three batters he faced in one inning.
• Braxton Pearson earns the win, going five innings allowing one run on three hits. Jackson Berry and David Dressendorfer both tossed one scoreless inning in relief.

FROM THE SOURCE

"We ran into two more very good arms who didn't miss any spots," said Head Baseball Coach Riley Price. "For the most part our hitters played right into their plan on the mound and we have to become more discipline and tougher with two strikes. We have to stop the early game errors and be able to put up some runs," said Price. "Had multiple opportunities to create a big inning with runners on, but we did not rise to the occasion today and trust our approaches. I saw bits and pieces of good things up all around in order to beat a good team like ASU," said Price. "I would like to see us play a clean ball game tomorrow and string something together offensively."

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Several Greyhounds played their first game for the Green and Silver: Martinez, Rubio, Lopez, and Rutger Poiry. Bravo, Carter, Rodriguez, Luna, Braeton Matthews, Mason Estrada, and Nyles Duren all made their season debut for Eastern.
• Clough launched his second homerun in as many days, while Ponce picked his first four-bagger of the season.
• Martinez caught two runners on the bases from behind the plate, in his collegiate debut.
• The Greyhounds look to salvage the series on Sunday, Feb. 5, with the final game of the series against the Rams starting at 12 p.m.