Las Vegas, New Mexico - New Mexico Highlands delivered its most complete performance of the season Friday afternoon, rolling to a 12-0 shutout of Adams State in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action at Brandt Field. With the win, the Cowboys improve to 7-32 overall and 2-19 in the RMAC, while the Grizzlies fall to 10-29 overall and 5-16 in conference play.
The Cowboys set the tone early, erupting for four runs in the bottom of the first inning. An RBI double from
Ryan Rodriguez opened the scoring before Isaac McNair-Seigler followed with a two-run single.
Jeremiah D'Arezzo capped the inning with an RBI knock to give New Mexico Highlands a quick 4-0 advantage.
New Mexico Highlands continued to apply pressure in the second, adding two more runs behind a
Lubby Marrujo RBI double and another RBI single from Rodriguez to push the lead to 6-0.
The Cowboys broke the game open in the third inning. Marrujo delivered again with an RBI double before
Johnathan Davis lined a two-run single up the middle, extending the lead to 9-0.
Marrujo put the finishing touches on a big day in the seventh, ripping his third double of the game to drive in three runs and close out the scoring at 12-0.
Marrujo led the offensive explosion, going a perfect 4-for-4 with three doubles and five RBI. Rodriguez added two hits and two RBI, while Davis and McNair-Seigler each drove in a pair. As a team, New Mexico Highlands pounded out 14 hits.
On the mound,
Andrew Baltazar turned in a dominant outing. The right-hander tossed a complete-game shutout, scattering just three hits, all singles, while walking only one batter and hitting one.
Adams State was limited offensively throughout the afternoon and was unable to mount a serious scoring threat against Baltazar.
New Mexico Highlands and Adams State will continue the series with a doubleheader on Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Brandt Field.
