2/20/2022 | Baseball | Box Score

PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico closed out the non-conference home series against Adams State with a win, 9-7, on Sunday afternoon. Eastern move to 2-8 on the season, and ASU slump to 2-4.

With heavy winds blowing out to left field, Adams State took advantage in the first inning with a solo homerun. However, Eastern returned the favor with homerun of their own. Camden Matthews singled to lead of the inning and with two outs Spencer Roachstepped the batter’s box. Roach pulled a hard-hit ball to left field that carried over the fence, giving the Greyhounds a 2-1 lead.

In the next inning, the Hounds batter started to connect against the Grizzles pitching. Nick Schifftner doubled left field, then Andres Quintanatripled to deep center, plating another run. Kian Johnston followed with a sacrifice groundout, scoring Quintana. The inning continued with C. Matthews on first after a hit-by-pitch, Dax Edmondspunched a single to right field allowing the speedy C. Matthews to score from first, 5-1 ENMU.

Adams State climbed back into the contest during the fifth inning. Three consecutive doubles plated two runners for the Grizzles with no outs. ASU had the bases loaded with two outs later in the inning, with the lead run on first. A double cleared the bases as Adams State regained the lead, 6-5.

Roach took it upon himself to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. With one swing of the bat, Spencer Roach tied the game with his second homerun of the day, over the left field fence, 6-6. Eastern went back to the long ball in the sixth frame. With a runner on third, Mason Estrada took his turn to send a ball of over the left field fence, placing the Hounds ahead 8-6.

The Greyhounds added an insurance run in the seventh, with Sammy Williamson crossing the plate, 9-6 ENMU. Williamson reached base on a triple, then Schifftner singled to drive him home.

In the eighth, three consecutive singles brought home a run for ASU, giving the Greyhounds a slim 9-7 lead heading to the ninth. A lead off double, would bring the tying run to the plate for Adams. However, two fly outs to center, and a strikeout ended the game for the Hounds 9-7 winners.

NOTABLE STATS

  • ENMU posted nine runs from 14 hits and nine RBIs. The Hounds posted seven extra base hits in the game.
  • Five Greyhounds recorded two hits: C. Matthews, Cooper Hamilton, Roach, Williamson, and Schifftner. Edmonds, Estrada, Quintana, and Johnston also recorded a base knock.
  • Roached paced the Greyhounds with three RBI’s (2-5, 2 HR), while Estrada also recorded a pair of RBI’s.
  • Dalton Thatcher picked up his first win of the season (1-2) after 4.1 innings thrown allowing one run from five hits with two strikeouts. Tommy Perez got the start and tossed 4.2 innings, conceding six runs and eight hits.
  • Cesar Loma was dealt the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in 4.1 innings pitched. The starter, Jamison Fuentes, lasted 1.2 innings giving up five runs on five hits. Cutter Smith saw one inning of relief, allowing one run.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Adams State is a scrappy ball club and played us tough this weekend. Pitchers gave us a chance today making them earn their way on the bases, which allowed our offense to create some momentum” said Head Baseball Coach Riley Price. “Both (Tommy) Perez and (Dalton) Thatcher competed will in the zone and challenged hitters all day. Great to see Camden (Matthews) setting the tone as leadoff and (Spencer) Roach sparking the offense early with a homer as we responded in the first” said Price. “I rarely give the green light, but the wind was blowing out and I had a good feeling Roach was going to connect with one there, and he did. I’m really proud of our guys coming off the bench ready to perform. Mason Estrada came in to hit a huge 2-run bomb to take the lead and was ready for his opportunity” said Price. “We saw a lot of good things and things we have to continue to work on going back into conference play this coming weekend”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Eastern posted four triples during the game, the most by the Greyhounds in a single game for a decade. The mark is tied second in program history, and was one shy of tying the record.
  • Roach and Estrada blasted the first homeruns of the season for the Hounds.
  • Williamson and Quintana posted their first triples of their career, while Roach hit his first homerun in a Greyhound uniform.
  • Estrada picked up his first career hit and RBI’s during the game.
  • The Hounds hit the road next week against Cameron University for a four-game series. Game one is expected to start at 1 p.m. (MST) on Friday afternoon, from Lawton, Okla.