7/27/2013-By: Joey Callahan
Scruggs Sets Pecos League RBI Mark in Cowboys Win

Alpine outfielder Matthew Scruggs drove in 10 runs at the plate last night in the Cowboys' 20-10 victory at Roswell, setting a new Pecos League record for RBIs in a single game.

Scruggs started his hot hitting early in the game, launching a three-run home run just inside the left-field foul poll on a 1-2 changeup from Roswell starting pitcher Ryan Richardson in the top of the first inning.

"I was looking something up," Scruggs said, "off the bat I thought it was gonna go foul, but luckily it stayed in."

The next batter, Joel Carranza, hit solo home run to left field, making it back-to-back homeruns and giving the Cowboys a 4-0 lead just four batters into the game.

In the fifth inning Scruggs came to the plate with the Cowboys leading 9-3 and runners on second and third. Scruggs hit a ball high off of the center field wall, missing his second home run of the game by just a few feet. The ball caromed off the ribbed wall towards left field, allowing Scruggs to reach third with a triple, driving his fourth and fifth runs of the game.

Scruggs found himself at the plate in the midst of another Cowboys rally just an inning later with Alpine in front 15-4. Scruggs singled through the left side of the infield, scoring Eric Herman from third base, for the Cowboys fifth run of the sixth inning.

In the eighth inning Derrick Fox was hit by a pitch in front of Scruggs to load the bases. Scruggs, needing a double for the cycle, went down in the count 0-2 before taking three straight balls from Invader's pitcher Ed Kohout to work the count full. On the next pitch, Scruggs hit a grand slam over the fence in right-center field, just to the left of the scoreboard at Joe Bauman Stadium. The four RBIs gave Scruggs 10 on the evening and extended the Cowboys lead to 20-10.

"I was just in good opportunities last night and got some good pitches to swing at and got some runs in," Scruggs said.

Herman and Fox each had excellent games setting the table for Scruggs at the top of the lineup. Herman reached base in all seven of his plate appearances, finishing the game 4-for-4, a home run away from the cycle, with six runs scored, and four RBIs.

"From the leadoff spot, I know I need to get on-base and that was my approach," Herman said.

Fox had three hits in five at bats and scored four runs. He and Herman scored seven times on hits by Scruggs.

"That was a flash of greatness if you ask me," said Manager Ryan Stevens of Scruggs. "I haven't seen too many performances like that come along."

Shane Youngdale recorded his seventh win of the season for the Cowboys, allowing just one earned run over 6 2/3 innings.

Herman summed up the game: "Scruggs is the man."