The baseball season is just a little over a month away, but Eastern New Mexico University’s team drew early attention this year. Middle infielders Alex de la Cruz and Endy Villalona were named to Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s Preseason All-American Team.
The duo helped lead Eastern to a 32-18 record in 2017, the second-most wins and second-highest winning percentage in program history. Additionally, the 22 game turnaround is the second-most in NCAA Division II since 1998. For their the duo combined for three all-region honors after the 2017 season, with both claiming Lone Star Conference honors.
De la Cruz played second base for the Hounds and set a program record for runs scored in a season at 65. He also posted the second-highest single-season batting average in team history (.441). De la Cruz also made numerous ENMU single-season top ten lists: slugging (third), on-base percentage (second), hits (fourth), doubles (T-tenth), total bases (sixth), stolen bases (sixth), stolen base attempts (seventh). As a junior, he ranked fourth in the nation in batting average.
Villalona played shortstop for the Hounds last season and batted .383 with 12 extra-base hits. As a junior, he led the nation in fielding percentage. In 153 defensive opportunities, Villalona committed just three errors.
Villalona, De la Cruz, and the Greyhound baseball team will open the 2018 season on Friday, February 2, at the Dallas Christian Tournament.
