AUSTIN, Texas – Eastern New Mexico baseball dropped an error-ridden contest to (RV) St. Edward's, 13-9.
"We have to play better on defense and take care of the baseball," said head coach
Riley Price. "I would like to see us respond tomorrow."
Routine plays were the difference maker in this contest. Eastern New Mexico started the game on the right foot with two runs in the opening inning, however a five-run bottom half of the first set the tone for SEU.
ENMU gave up four hits, two walks, and two hit batters in the wild first inning of action. Three hits came on plays where Eastern came out too slow on a play and could not remain in the vicinity of the ball. St. Edward's took advantage of Eastern's miscues and held the advantage the rest of the way.
Eastern got within one run (5-4) with a two-run third inning. The score remained that way until the bottom of the fifth. That is when five hits, a walk, and a hit batter carried SEU to six runs and extended their advantage, 11-4.
The Greyhounds would attempt to rally in the eighth inning as they plated three runs, but the multi-run deficit was too much to overcome.
Eastern New Mexico was credited with four errors in the game and left 11 runners on base. St. Edward's hit with near ease and took advantage of several crucial mistakes made by the Greyhounds.
Offensively,
Cole Curtis led the way for ENMU with three hits, including one double. Curtis got on base four times due to a hit by pitch in the game.
Adrien Martin and
Gabriel Watson both had two hits in the game. Martin hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning as part of the Hounds attempt for a comeback.
Cole Lancaster was credited with the loss and going four inning and allowing five runs and six hits. ENMU also saw
Demitrius DiMatteo and
Zach Raichel pitch for the program. DiMatteo struggled in his 1.2 innings of work as he gave up seven runs on six hits.
Seven different Hilltoppers had a hit in the contest. Lone Star Conference player to watch Connor Cox led the way with four hits on five at-bats. Cox was one of four SEU players to have multi-hits. Jacob Bulcroft, Nicodemus Ruadas, and Kain Sanchez all has two hits.
Three pitchers appeared for St. Edward's. Camden White, the winning pitcher, threw five innings of work and posted four strikeouts. The closer, Finn Mignerey, locked in his second save of the season.
Both teams continue the three-game series tomorrow in Austin. Eastern New Mexico will face St. Edward's at 1 p.m. MT.
