LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands baseball team used a pair of complete games and 23 combined runs to sweep a doubleheader from Colorado School of Mines 14-4 and 9-3 on Friday at Brandt Field.
In the first game, the Cowboys (14-25, 10-13) used a pair of runs in the first on a
Joe Kuhn two-run triple and seven runs in the third inning capped by a
Cobe Lehman grand slam to build a 9-0 lead and the Orediggers (23-13, 8-11) wouldn't get closer than five the rest of the way.
Kuhn came up a double short of the cycle, going 3-for-4 with a home run, triple, two runs and a game-high four RBI.
Estevan De La O went 2-for-4 with his NCAA-leading ninth triple to go along with two runs and an RBI,
Brandon Baier went 2-for-3 with three runs, a double and an RBI.
Jadrian Martinez went the distance on the mound for NMHU, giving up four runs (three earned) on 11 hits with seven strikeouts and a walk.
In game two the Cowboys again got off to a strong start and never trailed - scoring four in the first highlighted by an
Aidan McNichol three-run double. CSM cut it to one at 4-3 in the sixth before NMHU scored five runs in the sixth to make the final 9-3.
De La O finished 2-for-4 with two doubles, an RBI and two runs, McNichol finished 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI,
Kalen Hammer went 2-for-3 with a double, RBI and run and
Allan Salas went 2-for-2 with a double, two RBI and a run.
Angel Castillo tossed his second-consecutive complete game victory, giving up three runs on seven hits with seven strikeouts and two walks.
The Cowboys and Orediggers finish the series with a nine-inning contest starting at noon Saturday at Brandt Field.
