LAS VEGAS, N.M. – As has happened so many times this season, the Cowboys fell in an early hole. But four-straight extra-base hits in the bottom of the first gave the home team the lead for good as New Mexico Highlands (10-13, 4-9 Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference) beat Colorado School of Mines (9-11, 4-9 RMAC) 20-7 Friday afternoon (March 27) in Las Vegas, New Mexico.
The Orediggers looked to make an early statement when they manufactured a run in the top first and began the bottom of the frame with a three-pitch strikeout. However, senior
Nick Gonzales followed with a double to start off a streak four straight extra-base hits. Fifth-year senior
Matthew Chavez tied the game with a triple, senior
Joe Cervantes doubled in Chavez and fifth-year senior
Omar Garcia doubled to open up a 3-1 Cowboys advantage. A balk, an error that scored Garcia for junior
Jesus Caporal and a single by classmate
Kenneth Fudge put runners on the corner. A sacrifice fly by senior
Morgan McCasland put the Cowboys up 5-1.
McCasland added a solo home run and a two-run home run to the opposite field as he went 2-for-3 with four RBI's and three runs scored. Chavez added a pair of doubles with a triple in five at-bats with five RBI's and two runs scored. Gonzales added three hits, three runs scored and two RBI's.
Every starter for the Cowboys had a hit and run scored with 8-of-9 players with at least one RBI.
Sophomore
Phil Trujillo improved to 3-1 on the year, giving up 11 hits and seven runs (six earned) in five innings of work. The Cowboys bullpen combined for only allowing one hit in the final four innings.
The Cowboys were able to create separation in the third and fourth, scoring multiple runs after having no one on base with two outs. The Orediggers cut the deficit to 7-3 going to the bottom of the third, but McCasland blasted a pitch out of the ballpark to left field. Senior
Colby Wilmer followed with a single and advanced to third on a double by classmate
Andrew Ratterman. Gonzales singled up the middle to score a pair as the Cowboys went up 10-3 after three.
Colorado School of Mines responded with three in the bottom of the fourth, but Highlands answered with six after having no outs and the bases empty. Caporal started it with a single and scored on Fudge's first career home run. McCasland was hit by a pitch and Wilmer reached when the second baseman kicked the ball. A failed pickoff attempt put both runners in scoring position before Ratterman singled in both runners. The throw home to get Wilmer was late and Ratternman took second. A throwing error put men on the corners and Chavez doubled to unload the bases. The Orediggers committed three errors in the inning, six for the game and allowed seven unearned runs.
After the Cowboys took a 16-6 lead, Colorado School of Mines could only muster one unearned run on a passed ball after loading the bases with three-straight hits to begin the top of the fifth.
Cody Marvel and Nate Olinger was basically the only offense for Colorado School of Mines. Marvel led off the game single, advanced to second on a wild pitch and two groundout gave the Orediggers the first run of the game. In the third, Marvel led off with a double and scored on Olinger's triple. Olinger scored on a balk.
Marvel had three hits in five at-bats with three runs scored and an RBI. Olinger also went 3-for-5 with three RBI's and a run scored. Christian Rooney (3-3) took the loss, allowing nine hits and 10 runs (seven earned) in 68 pitches.
11-of-20 hits for the Cowboys were for extra bases.
The Cowboys return to action Saturday (March 28) for a pair of seven-inning games beginning at noon.
