April 6, 2006

The West Texas A&M University baseball team will hit to the road to take on cross-border rival Eastern New Mexico in a four-game Lone Star Conference battle at Portales, N.M. beginning on Friday, April 8 at 5 p.m. and continuing on Saturday, April 8 at 4 p.m.

The 18-18 Buffs take a three-game winning streak and 3-1 LSC South record into the weekend after taking three of four games against #7 Texas A&M University-Kingsville. The Greyhounds are 19-20 after starting the season with a 16-4 record before dropping 10 straight games. They have lost their last four games and look to break the losing streak.

The Buffs boast six regular players with averages above .300. Sophomore center fielder Justin Graham leads the offensive assault with a team high .376 average in 33 games. Junior outfielder Cody Dean tops the Buffs ranks with 36 games played, 41 hits and nine doubles. Dean is also second in triples (2) and third in RBI with 22. Junior designated hitter Brady Ribinskas adds 24 RBI and 4 home runs to the leader board.

From the mound, WTAMU is led by senior Patrick Wallis whose 3.75 ERA and three saves lead the team. Junior southpaw Jessie Rodriguez sits atop the leader board in strikeouts with 42, as well as in innings pitched (54.0).

ENMU's Kelton Hayes leads the Greyhounds with a .389 batting average, while Mike McDuffy, whose .370 average is second to Hayes, is tops in hits, doubles, home runs and RBI with 51, 13, six and 33 respectively. Kelly Crain is atop the leader board with a 5.01 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 59.1 innings of work. Evan Courteau is the Greyhounds' wins leader with five.

WTAMU will return to Potter County Memorial Stadium next weekend, April 14-15, to host Angelo State University to continue LSC South Division play.

For ticket information, contact the West Texas A&M University Athletics office at (806) 651-4400.