PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Baseball approaches a big road tilt with the University of Arkansas-Fort Smith this weekend. The Greyhounds head to Fort Smith, Ark. for a four-game series against the Lions, starting on Thursday, Apr. 6, at 12 p.m. On Friday, Apr. 7, the two programs will play a doubleheader (12 p.m. and 3 p.m.), with a nine-inning series finale on Saturday, Apr. 8 (12 p.m.).

LAST TIME OUT

The Greyhounds came away with one win against (RV) UT Tyler during a four game series in its last LSC series. The Patriots claimed game one, 11-9, game two, 14-6, and game three, 22-8. Eastern ended the series with a 17-14 victory, hitting three homeruns, while scoring a season high 17 runs and 21 hits. Every Greyhound hitter came away with a base hit, while Cooper Hamilton led the way with four hits and Demetrio Archuleta picked up six RBIs.

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

Eastern take a 15-18 record, along with a 13-18 Lone Star Conference record, on the road to Fort Smith. As an offense, ENMU holds a .309 batting average, scoring 216 runs on 320 hits. On the hill, the Hounds hold an 8.30 ERA, giving up 268 runs, with 179 strikeouts.
 
Archuleta has emerged as the Hounds top bat in recent weeks, leading the team with a .393 batting average, 44 hits, and nine doubles. Dylan Hummel enters the weekend with a .336 batting average, while Hamilton sports a .325 average after a great weekend. Jonatan Clough leads the program in runs scored (28), RBIs (30), and home runs (8).
 
For the Greyhounds pitching staff, Noah De La Riva leads the starting rotation with a 6.50 ERA, with a team low opponent batting average (.303) among starting pitchers. Ruger Bravo and Adrian Rubio are key members to the rotation, with both wings posting a team best 39 strikeouts. Javier Luna leads the team with two saves, while Vernon Hart and William McBride each have a save this season.

SCOUTING THE LIONS

UAFS look to snap an eight-game losing skid, returning to Crowder Field. The Lions come into the weekend falling in 20 of their last 21 contests. During its last LSC series, the Lions fell in four games to West Texas A&M. The Buffs claimed game one by a wide margin, 23-5, well the two teams play a tight pair of contests in a doubleheader, 7-3 and 8-4 Buffs. UAFS dropped the final game of the series 16-3.
 
The Lions look to get their season back on track, currently holding a 7-27 standing with a conference record of 5-27. As a team, UAFS hold a .226 batting average, scoring 145 runs, on 230 hits. Defensively, the Lions have a 7.32 ERA, allowing 295 runs, with 247 strikeouts, and an opposing batting average of .322.
 
Matt Schilling leads the squad with a .278 batting average, while Brandon Ulmer has the most hits on the team with 33. In terms of runs scored, Noah Davis has crossed the plate 21 times, while Michael Brinton paces the team with 23 RBIs.
 
On the mound, Brayden Johnson is a key factor for the Lions with a 3.23 ERA, starting nine games and leading the club with 62 strikeouts. Jakob Petross leads the pitching staff with 14 appearances (two starts), supplying a 5.58 ERA in 40.1 innings this season.

TUNE IN 

Each contest will be streamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network and are pay-per-view. Live stats will also be provided during the games.