LUBBOCK, Texas - Seniors
Colby Wilmer and
Matthew Chavez began the year with a career day while junior
Jesus Caporal made an immediate impression at the plate, but the New Mexico Highlands baseball team (0-1) lost to Lubbock Christian (4-0) 23-13 Friday afternoon (Feb. 6) in Lubbock, Texas.
Down 15-3 heading to the top fifth, the Cowboys etched five runs to pull within seven. After senior
Nick Gonzales reached on an error, Chavez launched the 0-1 pitch to right field for his first home run of the season after only four bombs in all of 2014. After three singles in four at-bats, Highlands played station-to-station baseball on a single by Caporal to left field. Wilmer than singled to right center to score a pair of runs.
Caporal had five hits in six at-bats with two runs scored and an RBI. Wilmer went 3-for-4 with a career-best six RBIs and a run scored. Chavez had three hits in six at-bats with four RBIs and two runs scored. Junior
Avery Brandon falls to 0-1 on the mound giving up 11 runs (10 earned) on 11 hits. He struck out six against no walks.
The Chaps put the game away with six runs in the bottom of the fifth to take a 21-8 lead. Nicholaus Velarde, who had three hits in five at-bats with three runs scored, led off the inning with a double. After a walk and single, Jose Favela singled in a run. Brett Wilhelm singled to score another run before a throwing error scored the third run of the inning. A hit batsmen reloaded the bases before Wade Stramp singled in a pair of runs. Junior
Julian Moroyoqui then came in the game in relief for Highlands and got three straight outs, but the Chaps scored on an error.
Moroyoqui retired the side in order in the sixth.
Brendan McCarthy led Lubbock Christian with three hits in five at-bats with three runs scored and three RBIs. Hunter McFall, McCarthy and Wilhelm all homored for the Chaps. B. Gerlich got the win, allowing eight runs (four earned) with 10 hits and seven strikouts.
The Cowboys return to action Saturday (Feb. 7) for a pair of games beginning at 1 p.m.
