Pioneers edge Hounds in 15 innings

PLAINVIEW, Texas — Wayland Baptist’s Pedro Gomez hit a two-out, run-scoring single to left in the bottom of the 15th inning Tuesday night, lifting the Pioneers to a 16-15 victory over Eastern New Mexico University in a marathon game lasting 5 1/2 hours.

The Pioneers (36-11) overcame 7-0 and 14-7 deficits, tying the score with two runs in the bottom of the ninth. Each team scored in the 13th before Gomez finally ended it with his single off ENMU reliever Richard Urban, a one-time Clovis High pitcher who hadn’t been on the mound for the Greyhounds this season but threw 85 pitches over the final 4 2/3 innings.

Wayland belted six homers in the game, including two by second baseman Brett Cook. Meantime, Urban’s three-run homer — his first — highlighted a seven-run sixth that gave the Greyhounds (25-25) a 14-7 lead.

Ethan Wagner staked the Hounds to a 3-0 lead with a three-run homer, his ninth, in the first inning, and Paden Vendrely capped a four-run second by hitting a three-run double with two out.

Right-hander Doug McIntyre, who had not made a start this season, gave up six runs to the Pioneers in the bottom of the second but made it through five innings and was in line for the win until WBU rallied late.

Wayland Baptist used nine pitchers to six for ENMU, including the last two — Mike Medina and Urban — who had not been used in that situation. The Hounds, preparing for an important Lone Star Conference series at home against West Texas A&M this weekend, did not play a number of their top regulars in the non-conference clash.

The Pioneers outhit the Hounds 26-18.

Vendrely went 3-for-9 with four RBIs for ENMU, while shortstop Kevin Thompson was 3-for-8.

Wayland Baptist 16, ENMU 15

ENMU