Hounds smash eight homers in sweep

Freedom New Mexico

CANYON, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University brought out the big bats on Friday. Senior third baseman Derrick Kennedy carried the biggest one of all.

Kennedy drove in a school-record nine runs as the Greyhounds blasted West Texas A&M 23-5 in the opener of a Lone Star Conference doubleheader.

The nine RBIs bested the school mark of eight, set on March 7 by Tyler Hayes against Tarleton State.

He went 8-for-10 in the twin bill, including 5-for-6 with two doubles and two homers in the first game. Kennedy added three hits and scored three runs as the Hounds also won the nightcap 14-4.

The teams will complete their seasons with a 1 p.m. (MDT) twin bill today.

Kennedy grounded out in the first inning of the opener, but followed with a two-run homer in the third, an RBI double in the fourth, a two-run double in the fifth, an infield single in the seventh and a grand slam in the eighth.

ENMU (24-26, 17-21 LSC) pounded out 38 hits in the doubleheader, including eight doubles and eight home runs. The Hounds scored in 12 of the 16 innings.

Catcher Freddy Carmona went 3-for-6 in the opener, while five other players added two hits. Carmona whacked a solo homer and Sean Cruce added a three-run double in ENMU’s five-run fourth, while Paden Vendrely hit a two-run homer in the sixth and Chris Eaton belted a three-run shot in the seventh.

Sophomore left-hander Seth Clabaugh (4-5) allowed four runs and seven hits over seven innings.

In the seven-inning nightcap, junior Tyler Doughty bailed ENMU out of a bases-loaded jam in the sixth inning by throwing a double play ball, preserving a 9-4 lead, and the Hounds tacked on five more in the top of the seventh.

Left fielder Clayton Young went 4-for-4 and was hit by a pitch, scoring five times. His three-run homer highlighted the seventh-inning outburst.

Clabaugh and Carmona both went 3-for-3. Clabaugh smashed a two-run homer in the fifth inning while Carmona added a solo shot in the seventh.

Junior right-hander Ismael Solis (4-6) worked into the sixth inning, allowing four runs — three earned — on nine hits, with one walk and three strikeouts.

Senior second baseman Brian Schupp homered in each game for the Buffaloes (9-42, 6-35), giving him 19 for the season.