Cowboys blast three homers, but fall short in extras to LCU

LUBBOCK, Texas --- The New Mexico Highlands baseball team had a late lead on Lubbock Christian University, but a trio of errors led to a pair of unearned runs – including one in the 10th inning – that led to a 6-5 extra-inning loss for the Cowboys on Tuesday at Hays Field.
 
The Cowboys (9-16 overall) trailed 4-2 heading into sixth inning before a solo home run by Gaylan Young in the sixth, a solo homer by Jared Brown in the seventh and a solo homer by Justin DeHoog in the eighth gave NMHU a 5-4 lead on the Chaps (20-8).
 
But a walk to lead off the ninth inning for LCU, a sac bunt, a Cowboy error and an RBI single tied the game 5-5 for the Chaps.
 
The Cowboys looked like they may take the lead again in the ninth as they loaded the bases with one out, but a ground ball turned into a double play on a close play at first to end the threat.
 
In the bottom of the 10th, a lead-off single by the Chaps got things going as the Cowboys threw the ball away on the ensuing batter trying to turn a double play on a sac bunt attempt to put an LCU runner on second with one out. Another throwing error by the Cowboys allowed that runner to score and end the game, 6-5.
 
Young finished the game 2-for-4 with a home run while DeHoog was the other Cowboy with multiple hits – going 2-for-5 with a homer. Carl Shonrock picked up the tough loss, going two innings and giving up the one unearned run on two hits with two strikeouts and no walks. James Janco (2.2 scoreless innings) was solid in relief for the Cowboys as well – picking up a pair of strikeouts.
 
NMHU returns to RMAC play 3 p.m. Friday as the Cowboys travel to take on UC Colorado Springs to open a four-game set.