PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Baseball hit three home runs during a 13-2 mercy rule win over New Mexico Highlands on Saturday evening at Greyhound Baseball Field. ENMU move their record to 10-11 on the campaign, while the Cowboys drop to 4-13 on the season.

The Greyhounds hitters jumped on the Cowboys pitching early, scoring five runs in the opening frame. Demetrio Archuleta started with a single, then back-to-back walks loaded the bases. A ground out brought home the first run, then Beau Preston brought home a run from a single. An error from the Cowboys allowed another Greyhound to score, then Tucker Gideon and Landon Pyles provided RBI singles to make the score 5-0.
 
Eastern returned for more runs in the 4^th inning, with Archuleta hitting a solo blast to left field to go up 6-0. Three batters later, Cooper Hamilton played long ball to right field with a runner on to go up 8-0. After a pitching change for ENMU, the Cowboys scored their first two runs of the game in the 5^th inning. Three consecutive hits, along with an error, aided NMHU in scoring the runs. ENMU restored the eight-run cushion in the 6^th inning as a two-out triple from Gideon put two more runs on the board, scoring Daniel Pruitt and Preston who both walked.
 
ENMU ended the game in walk-off fashion with a pinch-hit home run from Jonathan Baileys. After Preston walked and Gideon single, Baileys pinch hit for Dylan Shea and launched their first home run of the season over the right field fence to end the game 13-2.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds finished with 14 hits in the game, compared to the five from New Mexico Highlands. Seven different hitters recorded a base hit, while seven different players scored a run, and six separate batters had an RBI.
• Gideon compiled five hits (four singles and a triple), while Archuleta (three hits), and Pyles (two hits) finished with multiple hits. Hamilton, Gideon, and Baileys each brought home three runs.
• Archuleta, Hamilton, and Baileys all hit home runs, with a Gideon triple being the only other extra base hit.
• Preston walked three times, while he and Pruitt each scored three times.
• Josaiah Estrella was phenomenal on the mound, recording four scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. Marc Rios picks up the win in relief, tossing two innings and giving up two runs. Maddux Edmonson and Noah Rodriguez each threw a scoreless frame.
• For the Cowboys, Jadrian Martinez started the game and receives the loss with eight runs allowed from eight hits and a pair of walks. Tyler Sunstrom tossed a scoreless 1.2 innings, while Sebastian Crispin ended the game with 2.1 innings on the hill and five runs allowed.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Pretty good start to the weekend," said Head ENMU Baseball Coach Riley Price. "Did a good job having some discipline at the plate against a crafty lefty, which we've yet to do this year so that was good to see. We had a solid approach, stayed simple, and let the power we showed tonight come naturally," said Price. "On the mound, we threw it well with a very nice start from Josaiah Estrella. Proud of (Maddux) Edmonson, (Marc) Rios, and (Noah) Rodriguez for all coming in out of the pen commanding the zone as well," said Price. "Great to see Johnny Baileys ready for his pinch-hit opportunity as he walked the game off on a 3-run blast to right field. Need to stay locked in and go get us another tomorrow. Go Hounds!" said Price.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Estrella tallied a season best seven strikeouts in the game, while Rios picked up their second win of the season. Gideon marked the game with a season best five hits and three RBIs, with five hits standing tied-3^rd for the most in single game (team season best).
• Preston supplied their 6^th multi-RBI game (team best), while Archuleta continues their streak of reaching base to 14 consecutive games.
• Archuleta picked up their third game with three or more hits in a game, with Hamilton tying a season high with three RBIs.
• Baileys had their first homer for the Green and Silver.
• ENMU faced New Mexico Highlands at home for the first time since 2014, with ENMU winning six of their last ten games against the Cowboys.
• Eastern concludes the series on Sunday, Mar. 10, against New Mexico Highlands. First pitch is expected for 1 p.m.