CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M Buffaloes got back in the win column on Friday afternoon as they picked up a 14-3 run-rule Lone Star Conference victory over the rival Eastern New Mexico Greyhound in Portales, New Mexico.
 
After a slow start, the Buffs caught fire in the fifth inning. Jake Alwine led off with a double and later scored on a Tristin Thomas double. Thomas, who advanced to third on the play, scored on a groundout by Brock Bunker. Jacob Police then grounded out to bring home the third run, putting the Buffs ahead 3-1 after the fifth.
 
In the sixth inning, the Buffs extended their lead with three more runs. An Anthony Picciano sacrifice fly brought in Jonluke Hobdy, and Thomas followed with a two-run triple, increasing the lead to 6-1 after the sixth.
 
The Buffs continued their offensive surge in the seventh, scoring four runs. Hobdy drove in Timothy Haynes with a single and then advanced to score on a wild pitch. Luis Reyes doubled and later scored on a Thomas double, making the score 10-3 after the seventh.
 
The eighth inning saw the Buffs add another four runs. Picciano tripled to drive in two runs, highlighting the inning.
 
Cade Griffin picked up the win (2-0) for the Buffs, slowing three earned runs on seven hits with four walks and five strikeouts in his 5.2 innings of work. Griffin threw 112 pitches, 69 of which were strikes, and induced 7 groundouts. Riley Kettner entered in relief and delivered 2.1 scoreless innings, giving up 2 hits and securing 2 strikeouts. Kettner faced 10 batters and threw 35 pitches with 21 strikes, effectively shutting down Eastern New Mexico's scoring opportunities.
 
The Buffs and Greyhounds return to the diamond tomorrow afternoon for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. CT.