Cowboys walk away with 16-15 win over Montana State Billings

Grand Junction, CO --- The New Mexico Highlands Cowboys win in shootout with Montana State Billings with a late game come back in the bottom of the 9^th inning at the Courtyard by Mariott Leadoff Weekend in Grand Junction, CO.
 
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9^th inning and the game tied at 15, Estevan De La O was hit by a pitch to bring the game winning run to the plate to lift the Cowboys over MSU Billings 16-15.
 
"I want to start by saying thank you to everyone who worked extremely hard to make this weekend happen" stated head coach Shannon Hunt. "Our athletic staff, athletic trainers, our university administration, and the medical team for helping to make this whole thing possible."
 
The Cowboys started the game hot offensively with 7 out of their runs were scored in the first inning alone. Estevan De La O got things started with a single through the left side and stole second on a wild pitch. Ashton Roy would walk s both players would advance into scoring position off another wild pitch before Gaylan Young would bring them in with a single to right field.
 
Charles Morgan would reach first after being hit by a pitch as Fabian Ferriera would step up and bring in Young and Morgan with a single to center field and give the Cowboys a 4-3 lead. Aiden McNichol would add to that lead with a 2-run shot over the left field fence to give the Cowboys a 6-3 lead with one out in the 1^st inning. The Cowboys would add another run in the inning to take a 7-3 advantage.
 
The Yellowjackets would score 2 runs in the 2^nd inning before scoring 5 in the top of the 5^th to tie the game at 10.
 
MSU Billings would take the lead in the top of the 6^th after adding a couple of runs before the Cowboys would answer right back with 2 of their own in the bottom half of the 6^th inning. Jesus Chavez walked followed by a single up the middle by Morgan would set up McNichol to add two more RBIs on the day as he would score Chavez and Morgan with a single to left center and tie the game at 12.
 
The Cowboys would take the lead in the bottom of the 8^th inning as De La O would bring in Baier with a single through the right side. The Yellowjackets would out NMHU on the hot seat as they would add 3 runs in the top of the 9^th to take a 15-13 lead over the Cowboys.
 
Fabian Ferriera would bring in Morgan and Young to tie the game at 15 with 1 out in the inning. The Cowboys would eventually load the bases as De La O stepped in to the plate. Estevan would reach after being hit by a pitch, to bring in the game winning run.
 
 
"It's good to come away with a split. We made a lot of mistakes in today's game, but the guys battled and never quit". Hunt stated. "I am proud of them for that character. We have a long way to go and we'll keep grinding to get out of 'em what they're capable of. We look forward to next weeks conference opener at CCU."
 
For the Cowboys, Mason Myhre made the start and gave up 7 runs on 5 hits with 6 strikeouts and 4 walks in 4 1/3 innings on the mound. John Slape, Jadrian Martinez, and Gavin Gifford helped to finish the game out of the bullpen, with Martinez's perfect inning in the bottom of the 8^th standing out for the NMHU squad.
 
Gaylan Young continues to be a threat inside the box as he finished the day going 4 for 5 with 2 RBIs and 4 runs while Aiden McNichol stepped up and added 5 RBIs, 2 doubles, and a homerun. Fabian Ferriera (3-6, 5 RBIs, 1 double), Estevan De La O (3-5, 2 RBI), and Charles Morgan (2-3, 1 RBI) would also aid the Cowboys on offense.  Overall, the Cowboys finished with 18 hits and 2 total errors.
 
The Cowboys will be back in action next weekend with the first weekend of RMAC play against Colorado Christian in Lakewood, CO.
 
GO COWBOYS!!