LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands baseball team won a game where the lead changed hands six times 10-8 over Wayland Baptist in the Cowboys' home opener Friday afternoon at Brandt Baseball Field.
NMHU (1-6) trailed 2-0, 6-5, 7-6 and 8-7 - each time finding a way to rally against the Pioneers (6-2).
The final time came in the seventh inning with NMHU trailing 8-7.
Aidan McNichol opened the inning with a double to left center field and it was followed by a game-tying RBI double from
Eric Papas. With two outs
Cobe Lehman walked to put runners on the corners and then he stole second base with the throw going astray - allowing Papas to score and make it 9-8.
Mason Wood followed with an RBI single to make it 10-8.
Dominick Castillo then came in relief and pitched two scoreless innings for the Cowboys, allowing one hit with two strikeouts for the save.
Hunter Vancurler got the win in relief - going an inning and giving up an earned run.
Hunter Waugh got the start, going six innings and giving up seven runs on 14 hits with two strikeouts and a walk.
At the plate,
Estevan De La O went 3-for-5 with two RBI, a run and a triple,
Brandon Baier went 3-for-4 with a home run, Papas was 3-for-4 with a two doubles, an RBI and a run,
Jared Brown went 3-for-4 with a home run, McNichol went 2-for5 with a run, Lehman went 2-for-3 with two doubles, a stolen base and three runs and
Joe Kuhn blasted a three-run homer.
The series continues 11 a.m. Saturday with a doubleheader at Brandt Baseball Field.
