PORTALES, N.M. – After winning the first game of a doubleheader, Eastern New Mexico Baseball secured postseason action for the first time since 2018 during a Saturday afternoon twinbill against Lubbock Christian University at Greyhound Baseball Field. During the opening game, Eastern claimed a 13-9 win over the Chaps, while LCU picked up game two, 19-9. ENMU moves to 23-25 following the split, along with a 21-25 LSC record. Lubbock Christian improved to 30-19 on the season, shifting to 28-19 in conference play.
GAME ONE: ENMU 13, LCU 9
Lubbock Christian controlled the opening phases of the contest scoring six runs in the opening four frames. Four runs in the second inning put LCU out in front, along with a single run in each of the next two innings. Eastern looked to cut into the Chaps advantage with four runs in the bottom of the fourth frame. With two outs,
Nick Schifftner started the hitting with a solo home run to center field. After
Jayden Martinez walked, ENMU posted three straight hits to move the score to 6-4 LCU.
Camden Matthews reached on an infield single, then
Demetrio Archuleta brought a run home on a double down the left field line. Then,
Cooper Hamilton punched a single up the middle to score a pair of Greyhounds.
After the Hounds defense held LCU in the fifth, ENMU put up nine runs in the inning to flip the game on its head. With the bases loaded after a hit by pitch and a pair of walks, Martinez delivered a clutch two-RBI single to tie the contest at 6-6. A hit by pitch loaded the bases and Archuleta singled up the middle to bring a pair of runs home, 8-6. Eastern continued the scoring with a wild pitch with the bases loaded, then
Willie Ponce sliced a double down the left field line to bring home another pair of runs, 11-6.
Mason Estrada continued the big inning with a sacrifice fly and
Dylan Hummel ended the scoring with an infield single, 13-6. In the frame, ENMU scored nine runs from four hits, while drawing three walks and four hit-by-pitches.
The margin proved to be too large for LCU to recover from, scoring two runs in the sixth inning, while one run in the final inning ended the scoring. Eastern scored 13 runs over two inning en route to a 13-9 victory.
NOTABLE STATS
- The Hounds out-hit the Chaps 12-11 in the game, with three extra base hits for ENMU.
- Seven hitters produced a hit for ENMU, while five different batters finished with multiple hits.
- Archuleta scattered three hits along with a team high three RBIs. Four Greyhounds finished with a pair of hits (C. Matthews, Hamilton, Hummel, and Schifftner).
- A trio of Hamilton, Ponce, and Martinez each had two RBIs.
- Julian Lopez earned the win for ENMU, finishing five innings of action and allowing eight runs. Anthony Gonzalez worked effectively in 2.0 innings, giving up one run from two hits and a pair of walks.
- The Chaparrals starter, Ryan Markwardt, was dealt the defeat with 4.1 innings and giving up seven runs. Josh Akers, Koi Carrillo, and Logan Ellis entered the game for LCU on the mound, with Ellis tossing a scoreless sixth inning.
GAME TWO: LCU 19, ENMU 9
Both teams started scoring early with three runs in the first inning for each team. LCU had three extra base hits to score the three runs, while ENMU complied four hits in the opening frame. C. Matthews and Hamilton each singled to put runners on the corners, then
Jonatan Clough brought home a run with a sacrifice fly. Ponce tripled to deep center field, and
Mason Estrada tied the game at three with a single to center field.
The Hounds took the lead in the second inning after a wild pitch and Clough tagged a solo home run in the third to increase the ENMU lead to 5-3. After LCU cut the lead to one run, Eastern plated three runs during the fourth inning. With two outs and the bases loaded, Clough poked a ball through the right side to bring home a pair of runs. Later, ENMU scored a run on a bases loaded walk to go ahead 8-4.
However, the LCU bats started to hit the Hounds pitching. During the fifth inning, the Chaps scored six runs from six hits, LCU added four runs in the sixth frame, and five runs in the seventh inning. LCu combined for 13 hits over the final three innings, including five extra base hits. Eastern picked up a consolation run in the fifth inning, with Schifftner scoring on a
Rutger Poiry groundout.
NOTABLE STATS
- The Chaps knocked 18 base hits in the game, compared to the eight of Eastern.
- A pair of Greyhounds recorded multiple hits, with six hitters supplying a hit.
- Clough provided two hits and four RBIs, C. Matthews scored three times on two hits, while Estrada grabbed two RBIs.
- Ruger Bravo took the loss for ENMU, throwing 4.1 innings and recording five strikeouts. Javier Luna and Vernon Hart each tossed one inning, while Noah Rodriguez and Joshua Martin finished with 0.1 innings.
- The Chaparrals had five pitchers take the rubber, with middle reliever Stoney Rhodes picking up the win. Andrew Duren tossed three innings as the starter, while Tyler Manyo threw two effective innings.
FROM THE SOURCE
"Really proud of our guys for clinching a playoff spot in game one today," said Head Coach Riley Price. "This was our goal this year from day one and a lot of hard work was put in to making it a reality. We need to go finish the weekend strong tomorrow," said Price.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- Following the victory in game one, Eastern has clinched a place in the Lone Star Conference Tournament. It marks just the fifth time in program history ENMU has reached the postseason tournament and the first time in the Coach Price era.
- During game one, Archuleta picked up his seventh three-hit game of the season (leads team). Schifftner launched his second home run of the season, hitting both at Greyhound BB Field.
- Hamilton reached base in both games, extended his season long base streak to 17 straight games (longest active streak on the team). During the win, Lopez earned his fifth win of the season with three wins in his last three starts.
- Clough posted four or more RBIs in a single game for the seventh time this season, leading the team in RBIs with 65 (3rd in LSC). Clough also hit his 16th home run of the season, leading the LSC in that category.
- Eastern end the series with LCU on Sunday, Apr. 30, with the first pitch slated at 1 p.m. ENMU Baseball will recognize its 13 graduating seniors prior to the start of Sundays game as part of senior day ceremonies.
