5/17/2013-
By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- It was another hit fest at the Aquarium in Alamogordo Thursday, as the Pupfish and Cowboys combined for 37 hits and 28 runs. But this time, it was Alpine that come out on top, earning a 16-12 victory despite an early start and late-game comeback by White Sands.

Pupfish starter Chris Peacock faced only 12 Alpine batters in the first three innings, meanwhile, Alpine starter Brian Smith gave up two runs in both the first and second innings.

Chris Mendoza singled, Mike Mendoza doubled him in then Cody Collins scored him on a single. In the second, Joey Friedman singled and after Chris Peacock reached on an error, J.J. Constantino brought him in with a single and Mendoza scored on a put out.

The third was scoreless on both side, then both sides managed runs before Alpine broke it open in the seventh.

The Cowboys made it 4-2 in the fourth then went on top 5-3 in the fifth before the Pupfish came back with two more in the bottom of the stanza on a Ryan Pembroke home run.

The Cowboys broke the tie in the sixth with three runs off three hits, and while the 'Fish added another run in the bottom of the stanza, they never again led. Alpine put seven runs on the board in the seventh, with runs coming off a 2 RBI home run by Derrick Fox, an RBI triple by Casanova Donaldson; RBI double by Joel Carranza; a walk, single, wild pitch and RBI single by Billy Crowe, a rookie catcher from New York who got his first hit of the season, and went on to go 4-for-6 with 3 RBI and one run scored.

Sean Rockey and Dustin Sandberg are also rookies who saw their first hits Thursday. Alpine added a final run in the eighth on a walk by Herman and Sandberg double, but White Sands mounted a comeback try in the bottom of the inning.

Gilbert Barrera walked three, gave up one single and had a wild pitch to open the stanza -- bringing one run -- then Kris Barone got the first out, but Case Rigbys sac fly scored two, Collins followed with an BI single and after Pembroke reached on a dropped third strike and advanced on a wild pitch, Chris DiBiasi singled him in, but that was all the 'Fish could manage.

Brycen Bell was 4-for-6 with two runs and RBI for Alpine; Donaldson 3-for-6 with three runs and an RBI; and Carranza 3-for-5 with three runs and RBI.

"We hit the ball well tonight, thats for sure," said Cowboy coach Ryan Stevens.

Collins and Ramirez were each 3-for-5 for White Sands, Collins with an RBI and Ramirez with two runs and RBI. Constantino was 2-for-3 with an RBI and Mendoza 2-for-5 with three runs and anRBI.

Smith got the win and Peacock the loss, and even though his pitchers gave up 12 runs on 15 hits, Stevens wasnt too unhappy.

"Our pitchers, theyve got good stuff. Theyre just working out the kinks right now. Well be all right," he said. "I saw some good things out of them and I also saw some things I didnt like so much."

The teams will meet again Friday at 6 p.m. in the Aquarium.