PORTALES, N.M. – Hot hitting from Texas A&M-Kingsville sunk Eastern New Mexico Baseball in the series finale, 14-8, on Sunday afternoon at Greyhound Baseball Field. With the victory, TAMUK wins the series 3-1 over ENMU. Eastern now stand at 5-7 on the season, with the same record in LSC play. The Javelinas now sport a 6-7 record overall, and a conference standing of 5-7.

Both teams scored two runs in the opening frame, with Cooper Hamilton bringing home Beau Preston and Willie Ponce to tie the game. Texas A&M-Kingsville jumped back in front in the second inning, using back-to-back solo home runs and an RBI double to lead 5-2. At the end of three innings, TAMUK led 7-3 as ENMU scored in the third inning on a wild pitch.
 
Each team grabbed a run in the fifth inning, as Daniel Pruitt singled home Ponce to make the score 8-4. However, the Javelina hitters kept hitting the Greyhounds pitching staff to push its advantage to 14-4 going into the bottom of the eighth. Tucker Gideon started the bottom of the inning with a double and scored shortly after a Preston single. Eastern loaded the bases with no outs, then scored a few more runs from a wild pitch, groundout, and single. The score ended 14-8 TAMUK, after a scoreless ninth inning for both teams.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds totaled 10 base hits in the game, while Texas A&M-Kingsville posted 17 hits in the game (including seven extra base hits).
• Preston led ENMU with three hits in the game, while Ponce also had multiple hits. Preston and Ponce both scored multiple runs, while Hamiton produced two RBIs.
• Julian Lopez (L, 1-1) started the game for the Greyhounds on the hill, throwing 3.1 innings and giving up seven runs. Josaiah Estrella, Zach Raichel, Austin Dunn, Marc Rios, and Joshua Martin all took the rubber for ENMU, with Rios and Martin throwing hitless innings in their appearances.
• The Javelinas had six different pitchers during the game, while Daniel Cardona (W, 1-0) earned the win in one effective outing from the bullpen. Karson Shepard started the game and threw four innings, giving up three runs.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Once again we had opportunities to take the game over early but left way too many runners stranded and couldn't string anything together until it was too late," said Head ENMU Baseball Coach Riley Price. "They came out swinging it today and we couldn't minimize on the mound. Overall, we did not play Greyhound Baseball this weekend and need to reclaim our identity going into the next series on the road," said Price.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Dominick Cassell made their first start for the Greyhounds, while having their first at bats for ENMU. Dylan Shea posted their first career RBI for the Hounds.
• Preston tied a season best for hits with three, while Ponce tied a season high three-runs scored. Hamilton tied a season best for RBIs (2) and walks (2).
• Eastern now go out on the road to face St. Edward's for a four-game series in Austin, Texas. The series begins Friday, Feb. 23 with a nine-inning contest beginning at 12 p.m. (MST)Next, the Greyhounds and Hilltoppers will play a seven-inning doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 24, starting at 11 a.m. (MST) and 2 p.m. (MST). Then, the series finale between the two programs is set for Sunday, Feb. 25, with first pitch expected for 12 p.m. (MST).