CANYON, Texas – The New Mexico Highlands baseball team (3-4) returns to action Friday (Feb. 21) at 4 p.m. when it takes on West Texas A&M (6-2) in Canyon Texas.
Game one live stats are available
here why game two live stats are
here. The final game of the series live stats are located
here.
The Buffs (6-2) are ranked sixth in the South Central Region and are 32nd in the nation overall.
"This is our last non-conference series and we really have to figure out how to play better baseball," head coach
Steve Jones said. "West Texas is a very good club that pitches so they won't make it easy on us. I expect us to pitch better and be much more consistent offensively. If not, it will be another tough weekend."
The Cowboys have had mixed results so far this season. In the first weekend, they captured a series win against the regional ranked 10th team, Lubbock Christian. However, the Cowboys followed that up when they dropped 3-of-4 at Eastern New Mexico, also ranked 10th in the South Central Region.
New Mexico Highlands easily leads the conference with a .318 batting average, the only team above the .300 mark. Conversely, the Cowboys are last in the conference with an 8.33 ERA. They also lead the conference in doubles (17) and home runs (four).
Individually, redshirt junior
Matthew Chavez easily leads the conference with a .650 batting average (13-for-20). He also leads the conference in hits (13), runs scored (seven), doubles (five) and slugging percentage (1.050). He has at least one hit in all seven games this season.
Junior
Morgan McCasland ranks sixth in the conference with a .421 average and leads the conference with a pair of home runs.
On the mound, senior
Greg Hansen (1-0) is seventh in the RMAC with a 3.97 ERA. However, he is the only pitcher in the conference with more than one win.
Scouting West Texas A&M
The Buffs are 6-2 overall and on a five-game winning streak. But, West Texas A&M did drop 2-of-3 at fellow-RMAC competitor CSU-Pueblo.
Dylan Dyson has a hit in half of his 18 at-bats. Tyler McKnight contributes 15 hits. The Cowboys pitching staff may have a big weekend as the Buffs are only hitting .257. However, West Texas A&M has a 1.61 ERA and is allowing teams to hit only .188. All three pitchers who have started two games on the season have a 1.50 ERA or below.
Next Up
The New Mexico Highlands baseball team opens up conference play next weekend when it travels to Adams State for a four game series. Friday's game (Feb. 28) is scheduled for 3 p.m.
