Hounds notch first series win over Angelo

PORTALES — It’s taken seven years, but the Eastern New Mexico University baseball team can finally say it has won a Lone Star Conference series from Angelo State.

The Greyhounds clinched the three-game set with a 12-8 win over the Rams in the first game of Saturday’s twin bill at Greyhound Field, before ASU scored seven runs in the top of the first and salvaged the series finale 14-4.

The teams had previously played four-game sets since ASU started its program in 2005. The Rams had gone 3-0-3 in series against the Greyhounds, who earned four-game splits in 2005, 2009 and 2010.

Catcher Dillon Downs highlighted a six-run ENMU sixth with a three-run double in the seven-inning opener as the Hounds (24-15, 8-19 LSC) broke away from a 6-6 tie. Junior Ryan Pruitt (2-2) worked the final five innings in relief of starter Tyler Vance for the win.

ENMU took a 3-0 lead in the first inning, but the Rams (21-20, 15-15) came back with Zach Cohen’s two-out, three-run triple in he second off Vance and took a 5-3 lead with two in the third off Pruitt.

James Conlee (5-3), ASU’s fourth pitcher, was victimized in the sixth inning as the Hounds erupted for five hits and sent 10 men to the plate. First baseman Ryan Morgan hit a two-run homer in the seventh for the Rams, but it was too little, too late.

Angelo ended the second game, scheduled for nine innings, in seven on the 10-run rule. The Rams chased ENMU freshman left-hander Aaron Anderson (2-2) in the first, loading the bases with no one out before left fielder Garrett Harris belted a three-run double.

Downs’ two-run double capped a three-run first for the Hounds, but Rams pitcher Rick Reyna (4-2) settled down and pitched into the sixth, allowing only two hits after the opening frame.

Harris led ASU’s 21-hit attack against six ENMU hurlers, going 4-for-5 with four RBIs, while catcher Toby Semler, center fielder Joseph Leftridge, right fielder Tate Allison and third baseman Brent Denny all added three hits.

Junior Joe Huwer went 2-for-4 for ENMU, which had five hits.

ENMU steps outside the LSC on Tuesday for a 6 p.m. clash against University of the Southwest at Greyhound Field.