PORTALES, N.M. – For the first time since 2015, Eastern New Mexico Baseball will face-off against in-state rival New Mexico Highlands University for a two-game non-conference series. Game one at Brandt Field will be Friday, March 10, with a nine-inning contest set to start at 1 p.m. The two-game series finishes on Saturday, March 11, beginning at 12 p.m. with the contest scheduled for nine innings.

LAST TIME OUT

The Greyhounds came away with one win in their last series, facing West Texas A&M University. Eastern fell by one run in the first two contests between the two teams, falling 10-9 and 5-4. ENMU picked up a 5-1 in the third game of the series, with Ruger Bravo tossing a complete effort and Rutger Poiry hitting a timely 2-run homerun. In the series finale, both teams were hitting well but the Buffs came away with a 22-16 win over ENMU. Jonatan Clough (2), Willie Ponce (1), and Camden Matthews (1) each had homeruns during the game.

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

Before entering the non-conference series with the Cowboys, ENMU stand at 7-12 on the season overall. The Hounds bats have a .284 batting average, bringing in 102 runs on 161 hits so far this season. On the hill, Eastern pitchers have a combined 7.55 ERA, with 95 strikeouts, and an opposing batting average of .320.
 
Individually, Dylan Hummel holds a team high .323 batting average, while sporting 21 hits, 12 runs scored, and eight RBIs. Clough has been an important part of the Greyhounds lineup, hitting .302, with a team high .436 on-base percentage, along with team high 17 RBIs, six homeruns, and 11 walks. C. Matthews is the teams lead-off hitter and leads the team with 22 hits and 14 runs scored.
 
After a solid outing in his last appearance, Bravo leads the team with a 4.91 ERA and a 2-3 record. He holds opponents to just a .267 batting average and leads the team with 25 strikeouts this season, with two complete games in his last three outings. Adrian Rubio and Noah De La Riva each have a win this season for ENMU, with both pitchers making five starts on the season.

SCOUTING THE COWBOYS

New Mexico Highlands will play just its second home series of the season, along with its final non-conference series before starting Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play. In its last series, the Cowboys were swept by University of the Southwest (N.M.) in a four-game series. Game one between the Mustangs and Cowboys was close, 3-2, but the final three games were lopsided to USW, 17-2, 13-3, and 12-5.
 
So far, NMHU have a 1-15 record this season with a offense that has produced 42 runs from 68 hits with 35 RBIs. The Cowboys pitching staff have a 13.07 ERA, recording 70 strikeouts with an opposing batting average of .377.
 
Fabian Ferriera leads a New Mexico Highlands lineup with a .273 batting average, with a team best 12 hits. Just behind Ferriera, Cobe Lehman leads the team with seven RBIs, along with a .262 batting average with 11 hits.
 
Hunter VanCurler is the Cowboys top arm from the bullpen, leading the team with a 7.80 ERA in a team high eight appearances and one save. Hunter Waugh has the teams lone win, 1-3, while Dominick Castillo leads the team in innings thrown with 16.1 innings pitched.

TUNE IN 

Each contest will be streamed on the Rocky Mountain Conference Digital Network and are free. Live stats will also be provided during the games.