Hounds cruise past Highlands

Staff report

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Senior right-hander Cody Pope threw seven efficient innings and Eastern New Mexico University pounded three home runs en route to a 13-4 win over New Mexico Highlands on Friday in the opener of a four-game weekend series.

Pope (2-0) threw 90 pitches over seven five-hit innings, allowing two earned runs with two walks and four strikeouts. ENMU finished with 15 hits off five Highlands pitchers, including seven for extra bases.

The Hounds (3-1) led 2-1 when they erupted for four runs in the top of the sixth, capped by Chris Sanders’ two-run double. In the seventh, pinch-hitter Mark Foley finished off a four-run inning with a three-run homer to make it 10-2.

Center fielder Charles Sandberg Jr. put the Hounds in front with a one-out homer in the top of the first while senior first baseman Blake Cooper hit his third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the eighth.

Sandberg and Cooper each had three hits as nine Hounds hit safely. The Cowboys (1-3) finished with eight hits, including two each from left fielder Andrew Ratterman and first baseman Matthew Chavez.

The teams continue the series with a 1 p.m. doubleheader today and finish it off with a nine-inning single game at noon on Sunday.