Box Score LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Cowboys banged out 19 hits – eight for extra bases – and 18 runs while taking advantage of five Chaparrel errors as New Mexico Highlands (2-1) took the rubber game of the series against Lubbock Christian (3-3) on Monday afternoon (Feb. 10) at Brandt Fields.
Holding on to a 4-3 advantage, the Cowboys took advantage of three errors by the visitors. With one out, senior
Jarred Middleton reached on a defensive miscue and advanced to third on a pair of walks. Senior
Javier Ledford, who was called out on strikes in his first two at-bats of the afternoon, had a pair of RBI's with a single through the right side. However, the right fielder failed to come up with the ball cleanly as the Cowboys tallied a third run and Ledford ended up at third.
Another error and an RBI single by junior
Andrew Ratterman gave the home team a 9-3 lead.
Eight of the nine starters in the line-up for the Cowboys recorded a hit. Redshirt junior
Matthew Chavez led Highlands with three hits in four at-bats, including his team-leading third double in as many games, and a run and an RBI. Senior
Jordan Goliat had a breakout game with a 3-for-5 day from the plate with a grand slam in the bottom of the eighth. He finished with four RBI's and a pair of runs.
Senior
Greg Hansen took the win in his first start of the season, allowing eight hits and five runs over 5.2 innings. Junior
Zach Settles picked up his first save of the season, allowing only a solo home run and two other hits over the final 3.2 innings.
Focusing on the offense would do disservice to a Highlands defense that turned a trio of critical double plays. With the game tied at two in the top of the second, the Cowboys turned a 4-6-3 twin killer to end the Chaps threat. Lubbock Christian also grounded into a 5-4-3 double play after the leadoff man reached in the fifth.
Fittingly, the game ended on another 5-4-3 double play.
It was hustle that tied the game up in the bottom of the first after the Chaps took a 2-0 advantage in the top of the inning. After Goliat led off the frame with a single, Ratterman drew the count full. Head coach
Steve Jones put on the hit and run, which drew the attention of the shortstop and left a wide open left side on the infield. Ratterman found the hole and the Cowboys had men on the corners.
A hit by pitch loaded the bases and a sacrifice fly by Middleton and an RBI double by Chavez knotted the game at two.
The Chaps took a 3-2 advantage in the top of the third when with one out, Brandon Wilson was hit by a pitch and scored on an RBI double by Joel Lutz. The Cowboys responded in the bottom half of the inning with a Middleton RBI double. He scored on an infield single and subsequent throwing error by Lubbock Christian.
Despite high winds blowing out to right-center, only three home runs were hit in the game. Besides Goliat's grand slam, Lutz and Ethan Koehnle hit round trippers for the visitors.
Jarret Porter took the loss for Lubbock Christian, allowing four runs (three unearned) on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Unfortunately for Porter, the last run he gave up which put the Cowboys in the lead for good was unearned.
The New Mexico Highlands baseball team returns to action Friday (Feb. 14) against Eastern New Mexico. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
