PORTALES, N.M. – Following the programs first win over #1 Angelo State on Friday evening, Eastern New Mexico Baseball claimed a tight 12-9 victory in windy conditions on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Baseball Field. With the victory, ENMU shifted to 2-1 on the season with an identical conference record. The Rams shift to 1-2 overall with the same LSC standing.
Both teams had an eventful first inning, with runs crossing the plate for both sides. Angelo State scored three runs in the first inning from four hits, all coming with two outs. Eastern responded with a pair of runs in the first frame, with
Daniel Pruitt's two out double sending the runs home. The Greyhounds took the lead from the Rams in the third inning. After two singles and a walk, Pruitt doubled again to give the Hounds a 4-3 lead.
Luciano Terilli followed Pruitt with an RBI single to go up 5-3.
After both teams picked up a run in the 4
th inning, Eastern New Mexico posted five runs in the 5
th frame to take an 11-5 advantage. After a lead-off single from
Willie Ponce,
Beau Preston pulled a two-out RBI double into left field to get the scoring started.
Juan Avila followed with an RBI single, then
Tucker Gideon came up with an RBI double. After a Greyhound base runner scored on a wild pitch,
Demetrio Archuleta punched a single up the middle to bring home another run for the Greyhounds.
Following the Hounds big inning, the Rams took back four runs in the sixth inning. ASU took three free bases, then a two RBI double and two runs scoring on a error made the game 11-7. After the Greyhounds crossed home another run in the sixth frame, and Angelo State picked up one run in the seventh inning,
Josaiah Estrella navigated the final six outs on the mound for Eastern. The Greyhounds picked up their second upset of the weekend with a 12-9 victory over #1 Angelo State.
NOTABLE STATS
- The Hounds racked up 16 hits during the game, while the Rams picked up nine hits.
- Eight of the Greyhounds nine hitters recorded a base hit, with four Greyhounds posting multiple base knocks.
- Archuleta finished 4-5 at the plate with a pair of RBIs, while Pruitt notched three hits, a pair of doubles, and four runs batted in.
- The Greyhounds pitching staff fended off the Rams bats for nine innings, with Julian Lopez earning a victory in 2.1 relief innings not allowing a hit but being tagged for three runs. Ruger Bravo got the start for ENMU, going three innings and allowing four runs with five strikeouts. Estrella tossed a 3.2 innings in a save for the right-hander. Estrella allowed a pair of runs (one earned run) with three punchouts.
- Angelo State had five different arms take the mound with starter Mason Bryant taking the loss. Bryant gave up four runs in 2.1 innings. Scott Ellis, Austin Teel, Jackson Berry, and David Stich also took the mound for the Rams.
FROM THE SOURCE
"Phenomenal team win today and so proud of the way we competed on both sides of the ball," said Head ENMU Baseball Coach Riley Price. "It wasn't the cleanest game, but we played very aggressively and never stopped applying pressure. I challenged our offense to be tougher coming into this game and they answered my call," said Price. "Not an easy day for pitchers with the wind jetting out but was really pleased with how we were able to minimize in some big situations and just keep attacking. Now, it's time to finish the job and go win a series tomorrow," said Price.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- With the win, ENMU have beaten Angelo State in consecutive games for the first time since 2018 and the first consecutive home victories since 2015.
- Archuleta compiled their second career four-hit game in a Greyhound uniform. Pruitt maxed out his previous best for RBIs in a game (4).
- In his appearance from the bullpen, Estrella made their ENMU debut in picking up the save.
- The Greyhounds go for the series win tomorrow on Sunday afternoon, Feb. 4. Both teams will match up at 1 p.m. for the series finale.
