Visit Updated Alpine 06 Cowboys History

Dec 27 2013 12:00AM

Visit the Updated History the historic Alpine 06 Cowboys

Alpine Cowboys Tryout Camp Ithaca New York December 28th

Nov 10 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys will hold a tryo

The Alpine Cowboys will hold a tryout camp on December 28, 2013 indoors at CRC/The Field in Ithaca, New York at 10AM. Players are expected to have mold cleats no spikes will be allowed. Pre-Registration is required and can be done at http://www.PecosLeague.com/pecosleague.asp?page=77.

Questions contact Ryan.Stevens@pecosleague.com

Mejia stars as the Roswell Invaders defeat the Alpine Cowboys 7-3

Jul 28 2013 12:00AM

Vincent Mejia clubbed two home runs to carry the Roswell Invaders (2-0) to a 7-3 win over the Alpine Cowboys (0-2) at Joe Bauman Park.

The Alpine Cowboys lineup had no answer for Shayne Herold. Herold held the Alpine Cowboys hitless over one inning, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out three.

Derrick Fox racked up two RBIs on two hits for the Alpine Cowboys. He singled in the third inning and homered in the fifth inning.

Steve Sanguliano improved to 1-0 on the year by picking up the win for the Roswell Invaders. He allowed two runs over six innings. He struck out three, walked two and surrendered five hits.

Noah Piard (0-1) took the loss for the Alpine Cowboys. He lasted just 4 2/3 innings, walked one, struck out one, and allowed three runs.

Chad Kruse, Mejia and Roger Bernal helped lead the Roswell Invaders. They combined for five hits and three RBIs.

By: Joey Callahan
Scruggs Sets

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."

The Roswell Invaders make the most of 6 hits in 7-5 victory over the Alpine Cowboys

Jul 27 2013 12:00AM

The Roswell Invaders (1-0) and the Alpine Cowboys (0-1) both threatened with rallies, but it was the Roswell Invaders that eventually took advantage of them in a 7-5 win at Joe Bauman Park.

Dallas Burke racked up three RBIs on two hits for the Roswell Invaders. He singled in the sixth inning and doubled in the seventh inning.

Logan Lotti racked up three RBIs on three hits for the Alpine Cowboys. He singled in the second and fourth innings and homered in the fifth inning.

Erik Berkowitz recorded his first win of the year for the Roswell Invaders. Berkowitz struck out two, walked three and gave up no hits.

Brian Smith couldnt get it done on the mound for the Alpine Cowboys, taking a loss. He allowed six runs in six innings, walked seven and struck out four. The Roswell Invaders took a one game in lead in the best of three game series with game two to begin Saturday Night in Roswell.

Alpine 06 Cowboys Playoff Team 2013

Jul 26 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine 06 Cowboys qualified for

The Alpine 06 Cowboys qualified for the 2013 Pecos League Playoffs for the the third year in a row. The Cowboys finished with 40-26 record and beat the Roswell Invaders more than any team in the Pecos League. Expectations are high in Alpine after winning the 2012 Pecos League Championship.

The Cowboys were lead offensively by Derrick Fox, Joel Carranza, Conor Thompson, Logan Lotti, Eric Herman, Casanova Donaldson, Brycen Bell, Mike Dobre and DJ Johnson.

The Cowboys pitching staff was reloaded and lead by Brian Smith, Scott Hartling, Shane Youngdale, Bryce Weidman, Kris Barone, Matt Marra, Brad Orosey, Josh Cruse and Derrick Mitchell.

The Cowboys continue to be a West Texas Baseball Tradition.

The Roswell Invaders score early and often in 15-5 win over the Alpine Cowboys

Jul 23 2013 12:00AM

The Roswell Invaders (49-17) continued to pile up the runs on Monday, scoring three runs in the last three innings, on the way to a 15-5 landslide win over the Alpine Cowboys (40-26) at Joe Bauman Park.

And a three-run double by Charlie Dubanoski helped the Roswell Invaders score four runs in the fifth. The Roswell Invaders had two hits in the inning.

Dubanoski racked up nine RBIs on four hits for the Roswell Invaders.

Davis Henderson pitched lights out for the Roswell Invaders. The Alpine Cowboys managed just one hit off of the the Roswell Invaders pitcher, who allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out three during his two innings of work.

Eric Herman led the Alpine Cowboys offensive threat, as he got on base three times in the game. He singled in the first inning and doubled in the second inning.

Johnathon Sa recorded his eighth win for the Roswell Invaders even though he allowed five runs over six innings. He struck out four, walked three and surrendered nine hits.

Bob Cook was charged with his first loss of the year. He allowed nine runs in four innings, walked two and struck out three.

Alpine Cowboys 20 Roswell Invaders 11

Jul 21 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 20 Roswell Invaders 11

This game was played on 7/21/2013 at Joe Bauman

The Alpine Cowboys beat the Roswell Invaders 6-2

Jul 20 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys beat the Roswell

The Alpine Cowboys beat the Roswell Invaders 6-2 behind Logan Lottis home run and Noah Piard pitched six innings and held the Invaders to two runs. Joel Carranza had two hits and two runs. Logan Lotti had a home run and two runs scored.

The win put the Cowboys a full game ahead of the Las Vegas Train Robbers for homefield advantage should the two teams meet in the 2nd round. The win also snapped a 14 game winning streak that date back to July 3rd when Roswell lost a game at Las Vegas.

Roswell extended its winning streak to 13 games with a 10-3 win over Alpine

Jul 20 2013 12:00AM

Roswell extended its winning streak

Roswell extended its winning streak to 13 games with a 10-3 win over Alpine in Roswell on Friday Night.

Erik Lambe threw 6 innings allowing 2 runs for the win

Ryan Richardson, Ryan Rogers, and Shayne Herold each threw 1 inning for Roswell.

Josh Cruse took the loss for Alpine failing to escape the 3rd inning before allowing 6 runs.

Ryan Normoyle hit his 13th home run for Roswell

Jimmy Brennamen went 4-6 with 3 runs scored.

Thank you to our fans all over the United States who like the Pecos League and its teams, including:
Tony
Helen
Rich

Alpine Cowboys 10 Trinidad Triggers 8

Jul 18 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 10 Trinidad Triggers 8

This game was played on 7/18/2013 at Kokernot Field

Alpine Cowboys 6 Trinidad Triggers 5

Jul 18 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 6 Trinidad Triggers 5

This game was played on 7/18/2013 at Kokernot Field

Herman helps the Alpine Cowboys down the Trinidad Triggers 11-6

Jul 17 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys (36-24) beat the Trinidad Triggers (33-28) 11-6 on Wednesday at Kokernot Field behind Eric Herman, who collected three hits. He doubled in the sixth inning and singled in the first and eighth innings.

Frank Florio racked up two RBIs on three hits for the Trinidad Triggers. He singled in the third and fifth innings and homered in the eighth inning.

Bob Cook improved to 2-0 on the year by picking up the win for the Alpine Cowboys. He allowed four runs over six innings. He struck out three, walked two and surrendered five hits.

Dan Zlotnick ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with his first loss of the year. He allowed six runs in zero innings, walked four and struck out none.

Alpine Cowboys 11 Trinidad Triggers 2

Jul 16 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 11 Trinidad Triggers 2

This game was played on 7/16/2013 at Kokernot Field

Mejia stars as the Roswell Invaders defeat the Alpine Cowboys 7-3

Jul 13 2013 12:00AM

An excellent effort by Vincent Mejia hoisted the Roswell Invaders (42-15) to a 7-3 win over the Alpine Cowboys (34-23) on Saturday.

Mejia rocked the Alpine Cowboys with two home runs. Mejia went 3-4 in the game with four RBIs and two runs scored. Mejia homered in the third and fifth innings.

Despite the loss, the Alpine Cowboys Noah Piard dominated the Roswell Invaders batters, giving up zero runs and striking out five.

Steve Sanguliano recorded his second win of the year for the Roswell Invaders. He allowed three runs over eight innings. He struck out one, walked none and surrendered nine hits.

Sean Kistler (1-1) took the loss for the Alpine Cowboys. He lasted just two-thirds of an inning, walked two, struck out none, and allowed four runs.

The Roswell Invaders best the Alpine Cowboys in shootout 11-8

Jul 13 2013 12:00AM

The bats were busy at Kokernot Field on Friday, and when the dust cleared the Roswell Invaders (41-15) had an 11-8 win over the Alpine Cowboys (34-22).

The teams totaled 20 hits in the game.

Chad Kruse racked up three RBIs on four hits for the Roswell Invaders. He singled in the second, fifth, seventh, and ninth innings.

Eric Herman racked up three RBIs on three hits for the Alpine Cowboys. He doubled in the first inning, homered in the fourth inning, and singled in the eighth inning.

Cody Lewis recorded his first win of the year for the Roswell Invaders. He allowed two runs over one inning. He struck out two, walked two and surrendered one hit.

Jeremy Burright (1-1) was the games losing pitcher. He lasted just one-third of an inning, walked four, struck out none, and allowed two runs.

Mejias double propels the Roswell Invaders past the Alpine Cowboys 4-1

Jul 13 2013 12:00AM

Four first-inning runs helped the Roswell Invaders (43-15) to a 4-1 win over the Alpine Cowboys (34-24) at Kokernot Field on Saturday.

Eric Lambe baffled the Alpine Cowboys, striking out six batters. Lambe allowed one earned run on five hits and three walks over seven innings.

Early boost from Mejia helps the Roswell Invaders get past the Alpine Cowboys 8-3

Jul 11 2013 12:00AM

The Roswell Invaders (40-15) jumped on the Alpine Cowboys (34-21) early on their way to an 8-3 win on Thursday at Kokernot Field, scoring four runs in the first inning.

Ryan Normoyle racked up two RBIs on three hits for the Roswell Invaders. He singled in the second, fourth, and seventh innings.

Eric Berkowitz looked sharp on the mound. Berkowitz held the Alpine Cowboys hitless over two innings, allowed no earned runs, walked one and struck out three.

Matt Scruggs was solid at the plate for the Alpine Cowboys. Scruggs went 1-3, drove in one and scored two runs. He tripled in the second inning.

Ed Kohout recorded his fifth win of the year for the Roswell Invaders. He allowed three runs over five innings. He struck out four, walked two and surrendered three hits.

Josh Cruse (2-2) was the games losing pitcher. He lasted just four innings, walked three, struck out none, and allowed five runs.

The Alpine Cowboys late runs seal 14-3 blowout over the Santa Fe Fuego

Jul 10 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys (34-20) scored five runs in the eighth to cap a 14-3 win over the Santa Fe Fuego (25-28) on Wednesday.

Eric Herman racked up two RBIs on four hits for the Alpine Cowboys. He singled in the third, fifth, and seventh innings and doubled in the eighth inning.

Bryce Weidman got the win, running his season record to 4-3. He allowed two runs over six innings. Weidman struck out four, walked four and gave up six hits.

Jon Sintes ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with his fifth loss of the year. He lasted just five innings, walked five, struck out two, and allowed five runs.

Alpine Cowboys 10 Santa Fe Fuego 7

Jul 9 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 10 Santa Fe Fuego 7

This game was played on 7/9/2013 at Fort Marcy

Alpine Cowboys 16 Santa Fe Fuego 5

Jul 7 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 16 Santa Fe Fuego 5

This game was played on 7/7/2013 at Fort Marcy

Alpine Cowboys 11 White Sands Pupfish 5

Jul 4 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 11 White Sands Pupfish 5

This game was played on 7/4/2013 at Kokernot Field

Third-inning rally sparks blowout win for the Alpine Cowboys 8-1

Jul 4 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys (31-20) blew out the White Sands Pupfish 8-1 on Thursday at Kokernot Field after pouring on five runs in the third inning.

Robbie Rea had a busy day at the plate, collecting two extra-base hits. He doubled in the third and sixth innings.

Brian Smith picked up the win for the Alpine Cowboys. Smith pitched seven innings and allowed one earned run, six hits and one walk while striking out three.

It was a good day at the plate for the White Sands Pupfish (21-29)s Christian Matz. Matz went 1-3, drove in one and scored one run. He homered in the seventh inning.

Justin Kuks was charged with his third loss of the year. He lasted just four innings, walked two, struck out three, and allowed five runs.

The Alpine Cowboys Joel Carranza, Matt Scruggs, Derrick Fox and Rea combined for nine hits and seven RBIs.

Alpine Cowboys 8 White Sands Pupfish 7

Jul 3 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 8 White Sands Pupfish 7

This game was played on 7/3/2013 at Kokernot Field

The Alpine Cowboys outdone by Oldham and the Taos Blizzard 5-3

Jun 30 2013 12:00AM

The Taos Blizzard (20-25) beat the Alpine Cowboys (26-20) 5-3 in seven innings on Saturday at Kokernot Field behind Tyler Oldham, who had two extra base hits. He doubled in the first inning and homered in the fifth inning.

Taos Blizzard 18 Alpine Cowboys 12

Jun 30 2013 12:00AM

Taos Blizzard 18 Alpine Cowboys 12

This game was played on 6/30/2013 at Kokernot Field

Carranza helps the Alpine Cowboys down the Taos Blizzard 11-6

Jun 29 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys (26-19) beat the Taos Blizzard (19-25) 11-6 on Saturday at Kokernot Field behind Joel Carranza, who had two extra base hits. He homered in the first inning and doubled in the fourth inning.

The Taos Blizzard were led by Chris Constantinos hitting. Constantino went 3-5, drove in one and scored two runs. He homered in the first inning and singled in the fifth and ninth innings.

Carlos Camacho got it done on the mound on the way to a win. He allowed one run over four innings. He struck out two, walked two and surrendered four hits.

Kody Gordan (1-1) took the loss for the Taos Blizzard. He allowed eight runs in four innings, walked two and struck out none.

The Alpine Cowboys Carranza, Derrick Fox, Eric Herman and Robbie Rea combined for eight hits and seven RBIs.

The Alpine Cowboys need walk-off single to beat the Las Vegas Train Robbers 5-4

Jun 28 2013 12:00AM

A walk-off single from Brian Smith brought home the winning run for the Alpine Cowboys (24-19) in a 5-4 victory over the Las Vegas Train Robbers (24-19) in 10 innings at Kokernot Field on Thursday.

Smith had a hot bat for the Alpine Cowboys. Smith went 1-2. He singled in the second, eighth, and tenth innings.

Even in defeat, Eddie Medina played well for the Las Vegas Train Robbers.

It was a good day at the plate for the Las Vegas Train Robbers Medina. Medina went 2-3 and scored one run. He singled in the third and fourth innings.

Medina allowed three earned runs, seven hits and four walks while striking out four over seven innings of work.

Derrick Fox led the Alpine Cowboys offensive threat, as he got on base four times in the game. He singled in the first, fifth, and ninth innings.

Scott Hartling got the win, running his season record to 2-2. He struck out three, walked none and surrendered no hits.

Ryan Wood (1-1) was the games losing pitcher. He lasted just zero innings, walked one, struck out none, and allowed one run.

The Alpine Cowboys outlast the Taos Blizzard in high-scoring affair 11-10

Jun 28 2013 12:00AM

Fans were treated to a high-scoring affair Friday as the Alpine Cowboys (25-19) outscored the Taos Blizzard (19-24) 11-10.

The teams totaled 25 hits in the game.

Logan Lotti racked up two RBIs on three hits for the Alpine Cowboys. He singled in the third and seventh innings and homered in the eighth inning.

Matt Scruggs had a busy day at the plate, collecting two extra-base hits. He doubled in the first inning, homered in the fifth inning, and singled in the eighth inning.

Kris Barone improved to 1-0 on the year by picking up the win for the Alpine Cowboys. He allowed two runs over one inning. He struck out one, walked one and surrendered two hits.

Sean Gregory was charged with his first loss of the year. He lasted just one inning, walked two, struck out one, and allowed four runs.

Alpine Cowboys 5 Las Vegas Train Robbers 4

Jun 27 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 5 Las Vegas Train Robbers 4

This game was played on 6/27/2013 at Kokernot Field

Fowler allows no runs to lead the Las Vegas Train Robbers past the Alpine Cowboys 9-4

Jun 26 2013 12:00AM

Greg Fowler kept the Alpine Cowboys (22-19) off the board during his six innings of work and the Las Vegas Train Robbers (24-17) beat the Alpine Cowboys, 9-4.

Fowler struck out five and allowed four walks and one hit.

Ted LeMasters had two extra-base hits for the Las Vegas Train Robbers. He homered in the second inning, doubled in the fourth innings, and singled in the sixth inning.

The Las Vegas Train Robbers Gary Stauff, LeMasters, Adam Kam and A.J. Alexander combined for nine hits and three RBIs.

The Alpine Cowboys top the Las Vegas Train Robbers behind Carranzas 2 hits 8-3

Jun 25 2013 12:00AM

Tuesday was a great day for Joel Carranza, as he hit two home runs to carry the Alpine Cowboys (22-18) to an 8-3 victory over the Las Vegas Train Robbers (23-17) at Kokernot Field.

The Alpine Cowboys relied on Shane Youngdale to eat up innings en route to the win. Youngdale allowed no earned runs, eight hits and two walks while striking out six over eight innings of work.

Atsushi Hebisawa (4-1) was the games losing pitcher. He allowed seven runs in four innings, walked one and struck out three.

Carranza, Logan Lotti and Derrick Fox helped lead the Alpine Cowboys. They combined for five hits and six RBIs.

Carranzas big day not enough as the Alpine Cowboys fall to the Trinidad Triggers 15-14

Jun 23 2013 12:00AM

Joel Carranza clubbed two home runs, but it wasnt enough to carry the Alpine Cowboys (21-18) to a win on Sunday, as the Alpine Cowboys fell to the Trinidad Triggers (23-14) 15-14 at Central Park.

Both squads had things going at the plate, tallying 29 runs and 32 hits, including zero extra base hits. Both bullpens were busy with 10 pitchers used in the game as the skippers of both squads tried to finish it off.

Frank Florio led the Trinidad Triggers offensive threat, as he got on base five times in the game. He scored three runs and had two RBIs. He singled in the fifth inning and homered in the sixth inning.

Zach Leitten got the win, running his season record to 1-3. He allowed one run over two innings. He struck out two, walked none and surrendered one hit.

Scott Hartling ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with his second loss of the year. He lasted just 1 2/3 innings, walked two, struck out one, and allowed one run.

The Alpine Cowboys fall 12-4 at the hands of the Trinidad Triggers

Jun 22 2013 12:00AM

The Alpine Cowboys (20-17) didnt put up much of a fight on Friday, as the Trinidad Triggers (22-13) cruised to a blowout 12-4 win at Central Park.

The Trinidad Triggers scored five runs in the fifth on an RBI single by Benji Waite, an RBI single by Wink Nolan, , and a two-run single by Richie Serritella.

The Alpine Cowboys had the lead early, but couldnt hold off the Trinidad Triggers. The Alpine Cowboys led until the fifth inning, but the Trinidad Triggers took the lead back.

Jason Veyna racked up four RBIs on one hit for the Trinidad Triggers. He.

Waite got the win, running his season record to 4-1. He allowed four runs over seven innings. Waite struck out one, walked four and gave up six hits.

Brad Orosey ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with his third loss of the year. He allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings, walked four and struck out three.

Alpine Cowboys 15 Trinidad Triggers 5

Jun 22 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 15 Trinidad Triggers 5

This game was played on 6/22/2013 at Trindad Central Park

The Alpine Cowboys outlast the Raton Osos in high-scoring affair 17-13

Jun 21 2013 12:00AM

Fans were treated to a high-scoring affair Thursday as the Alpine Cowboys (20-16) outscored the Raton Osos (6-29) 17-13.

The two teams combined for 28 hits in the game.

Casanova Donaldson racked up four RBIs on three hits for the Alpine Cowboys. He doubled in the second and fifth innings and singled in the ninth inning.

The Raton Osos couldnt get anything going so long as Kris Barone was on the hill. Barone held the Raton Osos hitless over 1 2/3 innings, allowed no earned runs, walked none and struck out one.

Louie Saenz racked up three RBIs on three hits for the Raton Osos. He doubled in the third inning and singled in the fifth and seventh innings.

Alpine Cowboys 7 Santa Fe Fuego 5

Jun 19 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 7 Santa Fe Fuego 5

This game was played on 6/19/2013 at Fort Marcy

The Santa Fe Fuego escape the Alpine Cowboys behind Sintes 7 strikeouts 7-2

Jun 18 2013 12:00AM

Tuesday was a great day for

Tuesday was a great day for Jon Sintes, as Sintes struck out seven batters to carry the Santa Fe Fuego (13-19) to a 7-2 victory over the Alpine Cowboys (18-16) at Fort Marcy Park.

Josh Barnett racked up two RBIs on two hits for the Santa Fe Fuego. He homered in the second inning and singled in the seventh inning.

Despite the loss, the Alpine Cowboys Jeremy Burright dominated the Santa Fe Fuegos batters, giving up zero runs and striking out five.

Josh Cruse ended up on the wrong side of the pitching decision, charged with his first loss of the year. He allowed seven runs in four innings, walked one and struck out five.

Alpine Cowboys 21 Taos Blizzard 13

Jun 16 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 21 Taos Blizzard 13

This game was played on 6/16/2013 at The Tundra at Taos

Lights go out on Taos-Alpine game

Jun 15 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 3 Taos Blizzard 2

Jun 15 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 3 Taos Blizzard 2

This game was played on 6/15/2013 at Kokernot Field

Alpine Cowboys 2 Taos Blizzard 1

Jun 15 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 2 Taos Blizzard 1

This game was played on 6/15/2013 at Kokernot Field

Taos at Alpine rained out

Jun 14 2013 12:00AM

ALPINE, Texas -- Rain washed out Th

ALPINE, Texas -- Rain washed out Thursdays Pecos League game between Taos and Alpine, which will force a revamping of the upcoming schedule.

Barring more rain, the Blizzard and Cowboys will play a single game Friday, then a doubleheader Saturday (two seven-inning games) and a doubleheader Sunday.

Mondays game was originally scheduled to be played in Taos, but that game will be played as part of Sundays DH.

Kuks amazes with two-hit complete-game shut out

Jun 12 2013 12:00AM

George Ban knocks in the game"s first run; the only one needed in a shutout pitching performance by Justin Kuks. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer
...

George Ban knocks in the game"s first run; the only one needed in a shutout pitching performance by Justin Kuks. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO — The big story at the Aquarium in Alamogordo is Pupfish pitcher Justin Kuks.

Kuks threw a two-hitter against Taos, striking out nine and walking four in a 5-0 victory over the normally hot-hitting Blizzard.

“The guy’s lights out,” said White Sands manager Ernie Munoz. “He’s been lights out for us all year. This was by far his best start. He just shut out the best-hitting team we’ve seen so far, so that says a lot about him.”

“All the scouting reports were correct. He can deal,” agreed Taos manager Matt Leahy. “He kept us off balance on every count. Every hitter was complaining about being off balance. About being not comfortable. At the end of the day when it happens to a team that has this caliber offense, you just tip your hit and forget about it.”

And add to that pitching performance the fact Kuks was 2-for-4

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

LAS VEGAS --�Both coaches in Tuesdays doubleheader between Las Vegas and Alpine agree the split victory was an exciting pair of games: well played in all aspects with the Train Robbers taking the opener 8-7 and Alpine winning the nightcap 5-4.

"It was a well-played game by both teams all the way around by both teams," said Vegas manager Casey Dill. "Both teams hit. Both teams played defense. Both teams pitchers threw strikes and got ground ball outs."

"I just want to say Caseys got a great team over there and Ive got nothing but respect for him and his coaching staff," said Cowboy manager Ryan Stevens. "Theyre both very good friends of mine. It was a great day of baseball competing against each other and I really enjoyed it. It was some good baseball. We had our chances in the first game. We didnt capitalize on a couple of errors. Bullpen struggled a little bit. But like I said, it was just a couple of little things. In fact, I didnt think they we poorly. I thought the bullpen and the pitching staff threw all right. It was a good day of baseball. Long day of baseball."

And that "long day of baseball" comes because of an "only in the Pecos League situation" that saw the afternoon game that was supposed to start about 4 p.m. not start until 6:15 p.m.

"Because there was apparently some sort of huge issue in Santa Fe, and our umpires had to leave to go to Santa Fe because they dont have the local guys we have," Dill said. And neither DIll nor Stevens were happy with the replacements.

"The second game we had a very huge, controversial situation with the umpires," Dill said. "Both teams played the game under protest. I dont expect any change to come from it. Nothing really comes from a protest, but they definitely had under-qualified, incompetent umpires out there that obviously made a wrong call and it did affect the outcome of the game. I know that Ryan and I were both very upset with the umpires that we had today."

Stevens agreed.

"The umpires screwed up on both ends for both of us," he said. "I cant even pinpoint it. He screwed up a call on Caseys defense, then he screwed up a call on our defense. I dont even know how to describe it. It was crazy. It was a crazy day of baseball.

The game just seemed way too fast for (the umpires), and that was fairly obvious."

Game 1 didnt have that problem, and started out as a pitching duel between Shane Youngdale and Eddie Medina, neither of whom was around for a decision. The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth when two home runs -- a solo shot by Matt Grosso and 3-RBI blast by Adam Kam -- made it 4-0.

Alpine cut the lead in half in the sixth on an Eric Herman home run, and tied the game in the seventh when Herman and Logan Lotti walked, Joel Carranza singled in Herman and Brycen Bell singled in Lotti.

Vegas retook the lead on a Grosso single, put out and Will Walsh RBI single, then solidified their lead in the eighth when Ryan Lauer walked, Andrew Lopez was hit, A.J. Alexander singled then pinch runner Michael Pena scored on the second out. An error scored Lopez and John Hotta singled in the final run.

Alpine tried to come back in the ninth, but just couldnt get enough runs. Lotti walked and Carranza doubled, then a series of errors brought in three runs, but reliever Ben Runyon got the final out before the Cowboys could tie the game.

Game 2 was equally close, but with the big umpire mistakes coming late, in the seven-inning game marred a bit by controversy.

The Train Robbers went up 2-0 in the bottom of the second when Dillon Usiak doubled, advanced on a passed ball and scored on a Michael Pena single. Lopez singled in Kam, who had walked earlier.

The Cowboys went up 3-0 in the third on a two-out single by Herman, Lotti walk and Carranza home run.

Las Vegas tied it at 3-3 in the fourth when Kam walked and came home on a hit batter and error, then took a 4-3 lead in the fifth when Walsh doubled and came home on a Kam single. Then came the disputed sixth.

Carranza and Mike Dobre both singled to open the top of the inning. With one out, Bell was intentionally walked to load the bases. Kenshoku Takubo was unintentionally walked, tying the game and leaving the bases loaded.

Bob Cook came in to hit and Derrick Martinez to pitch. The scoring shows Cook hit a sacrifice fly to give Alpine the lead, but Dill said thats not exactly what happened. After center fielder Alexander made the catch and the umpire ruled out -- the innings second out -- he dropped the ball but then threw to second, catching Bell -- who hadnt tagged up -- out, with everyone then leaving the field with no one scoring.

But Stevens argued the call, and after discussion, Dill said the umpire changed his mind about which runner was out (Bell at second going to third vs. Takubo at first going to second), allowing Dobre to score, bringing everyone back on the field with Bell at second. Then, Dill said, he was allowed to appeal a runner tag, which he won, but not before the Cowboys had the lead.

And with Kris Barone and Matt Marra combining to close out the sixth for Alpine, and Scott Hartling the seventh, the Cowboys had the victory.

"Hes got a very good offensive team," Stevens praised the Robbers. "Trying to hold them down is like trying to hold down an angry pit bull. Hes got quite the offense over there."

He also had nothing but praise for two of his players.

"Eric Herman and Joel Carranza just went absolutely off today," he said, calling them "unbelievable today. They were actually unbelievable. I dont have enough good things to say"

He said Carranza (2-for-4, two runs, 3 RBI) is a great leader with good at bats and in getting the team motivated, while Herman (2-for-4, one run) was on base constantly

"It was two very good games," Dill said. "Two very good teams playing. And they were well played by both teams."

Alpine now gets a day off before heading home to face Taos, some place Stevens said his team is very happy to be headed.

"We played what? Twenty-nine, 30 games this year? And seven of them have been at home. Do the math," he said.

Vegas heads north to Trinidad for what may be the biggest series this season, a six-game, home-away-home matchup with the Triggers.

"Weve got Edison (Alvarez) going Game 1, Atsushi (Hebisawa) going Game 2," Dill said. "Theyve been our top two starters and its an inter-division matchup. The seeding between first and second can change any way, so yeah. Its going to be an exciting series between both teams. I expect both teams to come out hungry. Obviously, both teams know the importance of the series. So I expect some very good baseball the next six games, actually."

Alpine ends rough losing string with victory over Las Vegas

Jun 11 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — After going 14-of-19 after a disastrous start to the season, Las Vegas is playing solid baseball. Alpine has been on a sho...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — After going 14-of-19 after a disastrous start to the season, Las Vegas is playing solid baseball. Alpine has been on a short skid, but both teams reversed their win-loss streaks Monday as the Cowboys topped the Train Robbers 14-8.

Alpine’s recent three-game losing string — two to Vegas — was very rough, so the team was ready to change things up.

“Yeah, very (rough). We hit rock bottom,” said manager Ryan Stevens. “I think everybody came to a point, they said, ‘We need to make adjustments. We need to turn it around.”

And they did, starting off with four runs in the second and never trailing.

“It was a well-played game between two good teams and they came out on top today,” said Las Vegas manager Casey Dill. “It was one of those games where we didn’t play our best defense. We’re kind of at the back end of our bullpen right now because we’ve been playing so many games on consecutive days. Those guys saw a lot of walks today, a few errors and they t

Train Robbers beat Alpine 9-3

Jun 10 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

LAS VEGAS — Alpine is still having trouble getting on track offensively as it starts its first northern road trip, falling 9-3 to Las Vegas ...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

LAS VEGAS — Alpine is still having trouble getting on track offensively as it starts its first northern road trip, falling 9-3 to Las Vegas for the second loss in a row.

Just exactly what is happening is uncertain as neither coach returned calls for comment, but two three-run Train Robber innings seemed to be the difference, along with a pair of crucial Cowboy errors.

Alpine went up 1-0 in the first when Tyler Rost walked, advanced on a Logan Lotti single and a walk then came home on an error.

Vegas matched that sum in the bottom of the stanza when A.J. Alexander singled, stole second and came home on a Randy Wells single, then made it 2-1 in the second on an Andrew Lopez home run.

The Cowboys tied it in the third on a Lotto walk and Joel Carranza double but that was as close as it would be as the Robbers had their first three-run inning.

Hitting off starter Bryce Weidman, Wells, Adam Kam and Dillon Usiak each hit two-out singles. Ted LeMasters and Andrew Lopez walked and Usiak

Train Robber home runs take them past Alpine

Jun 9 2013 12:00AM

Las Vegas" Ted LeMasters strokes a home run — one of four for the home team — in Saturday night"s 11-5 win. (Photo by Dave Kavanaugh, Las Vegas Optic)

Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer<...

Las Vegas" Ted LeMasters strokes a home run — one of four for the home team — in Saturday night"s 11-5 win. (Photo by Dave Kavanaugh, Las Vegas Optic)

Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

LAS VEGAS, N.M. — The Train Robbers hit four home runs in an 11-5 win over visiting Alpine Saturday, getting solid pitching from Atsushi Hebisawa, who went eight innings and recorded the win for Las Vegas.

Alpine went up 4-0 in the second, scoring on a Joel Carranza double; singles by Mike Dobre and Brycen Bell, an error, Eric Herman double and Derrick Fox single.

Vegas came back in the bottom of the stanza when Ted LeMasters was hit and Andrew Lopez homered, but the big Robber blow was in the third, when they scored six runs of Cowboy Brad Orosey

Joey Haskell and John Hotta singled, then, with one out, Randy Wells hit a 3-run home run. But Vegas wasn’t done. Adam Kam and Ryan Lauer each singled, then LeMasters hit the inning’s second 3-run home run.

The Train Robbers added another run in the fourth off reliever Kris Barone when Ha

Las Vegas Train Robbers 10 Alpine Cowboys 5
Jun 8 2013 12:00AM

Las Vegas Train Robbers 10 Alpine Cowboys 5

This game was played on 6/8/2013 at Rodriguez Park

Pupfish put Cowboys in deep hole early for 7-3 victory
Jun 8 2013 12:00AM

Ernie Munoz singles up the middle t
Ernie Munoz singles up the middle to start a 16-hit game for the Pupfish. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- A strong pitching performance by White Sands starter Justin Kuks combined with a rough start by Alpine starter Carlos Camacho led to a 7-3 Pupfish victory over the Cowboys Friday in the final game of the current series between the two teams.

"Justin Kuks came out and pitched his butt off and we played defense behind him and we put up another 14 hits like we have been doing and played baseball again," said White Sands manager Ernie Munoz.

"We put ourselves in a pretty big hole in the beginning and it was very hard to dig out of," said Alpine manager Ryan Stevens. "They had their ace on the mound. Kuks is their ace."

While Kuks was holding the Cowboys to three runs on five hits in seven innings, Camacho was hammered in the bottom of the first, all runs coming with two outs.

After the first two batters went down, Munoz Cody Collins and Mike Mondoza singled, Mendoza getting an RBI; Mark Leacox doubled in one; Jerry Gonzales singled in two; and Miguel Flores singled in one.

Josh Cruse came in in relief for Alpine in the second and basically shut White Sands down the rest of the way, giving up only one run in the sixth on a Flores double and J.J. Constantino triple in the sixth.

The Cowboys finally got to Kuks in the fourth, scoring when D.J. Johnson was hit and Cruse singled him in; then got their final two runs in the eighth. Alpine loaded the bases and scored two off a Joel Carranza single, but that inning was typical of the Cowboys Friday, as they couldnt get timely hits.

"We left way too many runners on base," Stevens said. "We probably left over 10 runners on base, I would assume (11, actually). We had bases loaded numerous times."

So while Alpine reliever Jeremy Burright gave u one more run in the bottom of the seventh on a Munoz ground rule double and Mendoza single, had even a few of those runners crossed the plate, the game would have been closer.

"Timely hitting was definitely not there, and Kuks threw a good game. He did, Stevens said.

"It was always going to be a good series with Alpine," Munoz said. "Theyre a good team, too. Good game all around and good game for us going into this next series."

That next series -- before the Pupfish finally head out on the road -- is at home vs. Taos beginning at 6:06 p.mn. Saturday. Its the first meeting between the two teams, and Munoz said he doesnt plan any changes.

"Were just going to keep playing our game. I dont know anything about them but well find out tomorrow."

Lotti leads Alpine to 6-3 victory over Pupfish
Jun 7 2013 12:00AM

It was pitcher vs. pitcher in the t
It was pitcher vs. pitcher in the third inning Thursday as Pupfish Chris Anklem tried to leg out a bunt while Cowboy Bob Cook fielded the ball. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- After an error-filled, high scoring game at the Aquarium Wednesday, the Cowboys and Pupfish battled in a pitchers duel Thursday, with Alpine coming out on top in the ninth, 6-3.

Still, Alpine coach Ryan Stevens wasnt completely happy.

"Not happy with the (three) errors, but I was really proud of the way the pitchers threw today," he said. "They put up a gutsy performance, and it reminded me of last years pitching staff the way they put it together."

Cowboy starter Bob Cook, a rookie, threw a strong six innings.

"It was his first start and he came out and he pitched his heart out," Stevens said. "I thought it was a gutsy performance and I thought our bullpen looked really good."

The scoring started in the second when Cowboy Brycen Bell hit a shot out of the park. The Pupfish tied it up in the third when Brett Mendoza and J.J. Costantino singled, with Mendoza coming home on a sac fly by Christian Ramirez.

Another home run -- this by Logan Lotti, his first of two in the game -- made it 2-1 Alpine in the fifth, then once again White Sands tied it up when Jerry Gonzales singled, stole second and came home on a Mark Leacox single in the sixth.

Both starters -- Chris Anklam and Cook -- went out in the sixth -- and relievers D.J. Stinsman, Mike Castrignano and Jeremy Burright allowed one run for each team in the seventh, keeping it tied at 3-3.

Alpine scored when Eric Herman singled, stole second and came home on a Carranza double. The Pupfish got their run when Costantino singled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on an error by Burright.

Justin Mauldin and Sean Kistler kept the eighth scoreless, then Ernesto Zaragaza was tagged for the winning runs in the top of the ninth.

We hit the ball," Stevens said. "We didnt drive in enough runners, but in the top of the ninth, Logan Lotti took a 92-mile-per-hour fast ball and parked it.

"Whoever that 20-year-old that (White Sands manager) Ernie (Munoz) just brought in, he was throwing gas. The first one he blew by Lotti, then the second one he took it deep."

"It was just a pitch we shouldnt have thrown in that situation, was all," Munoz said. "Lotti did a great job hitting that pitch."

After that, Carranza, Casanova Donaldson and Bell each singled, with Bell bringing in two runs, then Scott Hartline came in in the bottom of the ninth and shut the Pupfish down.

But despite the loss, Munoz was much happier than the past few games.

"We played well," he said. "Our starter, Chris Anklem, went, I think, six innings strong. I guess we made a couple of bad decisions on pitches there in the last inning. Gave up a home run here and double there, and before you knew it it was 6-3."

Friday, the teams wrap up their third series at the Aquarium in the first month of Pecos League play, and both manager know its the little things that will make the difference.

"Weve got to clean up the errors. Weve got to drive runners in and I need more out of the relief pitchers," Stevens said.

"Well be fine," Munoz said. "We never really separated. We just got a little comfortable for a couple of days there. We know its going to be a grind and we know what were looking at here and we just want to get to the playoffs, however thats going to happen."

Cowboys top Pupfish in error-filled game
Jun 6 2013 12:00AM

Tyler Rost waits for the pitch from
Tyler Rost waits for the pitch from Eric Zagone. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- The only game played Wednesday in the Pecos League was a comedy of errors, with nine combined mistakes and neither manager very happy with his team when it was all over.

Still, Alpine got back on the winning side of the ledger with a 15-9 victory over the Pupfish at the Aquarium.

"We hit the ball a little bit. Did better with runners in scoring position. We had way too many friggin errors," said Alpine manager Ryan Stevens.

"We made a lot of errors and we had a lot of walks," echoes Pupfish manager Ernie Munoz. "It was a game we gave away. Its the same story, different day, lately."

Early on, it looked as though it would be another close game as starters Shane Youngdale and Eric Zagone kept the runs to a minimum.

The Cowboys went up 2-0 in the first when Derrick Fox and Logan Lotti walked, Joel Carranza singled in Fox the Mike Dobre hit an RBI double.

White Sands came back in the bottom of the stanza with a two-out single by Munoz, and error that put Cody Collins on base and a 2 RBI double by George Ban. The "Fish took a 3-2 lead in the second on another error and J.J. Costantino double.

The third and fourth were scoreless and mostly errorless, but Alpine went up 5-3 in the fifth when D.J. Johnson singled and scored on a Dobre single and error, the Brycen Bell hit a two-run home run.

The Pupfish tied it in the sixth when Collins doubled, Ban was hit and Mark Leacox singled to load the bases. An error brought in Collins and a putout scored Ban.

Despite seven runs in the seventh, only two were earned, as both teams bobbled the ball equally.

Alpine scored four runs on two singles, two walks and a wild pitch and two errors, while White Sands scored three on three hits -- including doubles by Ban and Collins -- a walk, wild pitch and an error.

The Cowboys added another five in the eighth, with again, only one earned, on a walk and four singles.

The Pupfish added an earned run in the bottom of the stanza when Joey Friedman and Miguel Flores each walked, the Friedman came in on a Costantino single.

Alpine padded its lead by one in the ninth when Johnson doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and came home on a sac fly by Bell.

"It was very sloppy," Stevens said. "I was not impressed with my teams performance today. Its always tough, getting right off the van and playing, but still no excuse. Weve got to do a better job and with four or five sloppy errors that looked like crap. Were a far better team than we showed tonight."

Even though many of the runs came in on something other than hits, several players still had good nights. For Alpine, Dobre was 3-for-4 with two runs and an RBI; Fox 2-for-4 with three runs and 2 RBI; Bell 2-for-3 with three runs and RBIs; and Tyler Rost 2-for-5.

"We capitalized on their mistakes; they capitalized on our mistakes," Stevens said. "Weve got to do a better job as a whole and were still working to move forward. The one positive I thought we did is we did a better job of hitting with runners in scoring position than we have in the past. But were still a very young team. Hopefully were going to hit our stride at the right time and when we hit our stride were a very dangerous team. But we have not hit our stride yet."

For White Sands, Leacox was 2-for-4; Ban 2-for-4 with a run and 3 RBI; Collins 2-for-5 with three runs and an RBI; and Costantino 2-for-5 with one run and 2 RBI.

"We beat ourselves again and we gave the game away," Munoz said, explaining theres little time to fix the mistakes. "Weve got to come out tomorrow and do our best, I guess. Unfortunately, we dont have days to practice so well have to roll with the games and go with the lineup thats out there and see what happens."

The teams will be in action Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Aquarium.

Alpine Cowboys 6 White Sands Pupfish 3
Jun 6 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 6 White Sands Pupfish 3

This game was played on 6/6/2013 at Griggs Park

Triggers have another comeback vs. Taos
Jun 3 2013 12:00AM

Trigger first baseman Frank Florio
Trigger first baseman Frank Florio tries to keep the Taos runner close. (Photo by Emily Olguin)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

TRINIDAD, Colo. -- A lot of pitchers saw time on the mound in Trinidads final home game this stand vs. Taos, and when it was all over, the four pitchers the Triggers sent to the mound did a better job than the eight the Blizzard threw, giving them a 14-9 victory as they head to the final game of the series Monday in Taos.

"We still are making too many errors, but we are doing what we need to do to win the ball game," said Trinidad manager J.D. Droddy. "We never think were going to lose. We get behind and we just keep plugging away."

And thats pretty much what happened Sunday at Central Park.

The Triggers did jump on top first, going up 4-0 in the second when the scored on two walks and four singles, with pitcher Chris Tuttle getting 2 RBI and Matt Hunt and Frank Florio one each in the stanza.

Taos came back with three runs in the fourth, scoring on back-to-back singleds by Jordan Chiero and James Martinez followed by a 2 RBI double by Russ Burroughs; then a walk and two more singles, with Khyle Dimino bringing in Burroughs.

Matt Hunt walked, stole second and third in the bottom of the stanza to make it 5-3 Trinidad, but the Blizzard had a big fifth off reliever Mike Mullen, going up 7-5.

Again, it was mostly singles that led to the scoring, with Chiero and Martinez getting one baggers, then, with two outs, Wes Moody singling in Chiero and Kyle Richardson plating two on a double. An error brought in the last runner.

But that Trinidad never-say-die attitude showed in the sixth as the Triggers put up another four spot, the big blow a 2 RBI double by Reichie Serritella after singles by Hunt, Florio and Wink Nolan.

The Blizzard loaded the bases in the top of the seventh but stranded those runners after Mullen bore down, then Trinidad put yet another four runs up, on three hits and an error.

Taos got one run in the eighth on a solo home run by Calvin Culver, but the Triggers matched that scoring with a Bryce Miler dinger (following a double in the seventh.)

Taos kept hitting to the end, getting a final run in the ninth on a two-out single by Dimino and an error, but Culver flew out off reliever Scott Elitzky for the days final out.

Noting that Tuttle -- who had no decision -- "did not have his best start," Droddy said he wasnt unhappy with the pitching. "Our pitchers did fine. Tuttle actually did fine. He was just struggling and he reached a pitch limit and I took him out."

Once again, the Taos problem was the pitching, said manager Matt Leahy.

"We played all right. We just pitched ourselves into trouble. Pitched ourselves out of some trouble. At the end of the day, weve just got to pound the right pitches in the right situation."

Combined, the eight Blizzard pitchers allowed 14 runs, all but two earned, with seven walks.

Both managers agreed their batters did their jobs -- "We always hit great. Statistically, we have one of the most potent offenses in all of baseball," Leahy said -- and Droddy was pleased with the other aspects as well.

"We hit. We ran the bases really well. We just keep hustling. Hustle, hustle, hustle," he said. "Steal the bases, putting pressure on the other team and we just find a way to win. I think we were probably out-hit and they had fewer errors but we won the ball game by a comfortable margin."

The teams now head to Taos for a game at noon Monday, and Leahy is looking forward to getting home.

"Were what? Four and 1 in games we had the last hit?" he said "So if we can bat last, and weve got a lot of those games coming up here, its just a matter of if we can get to .500 by the middle of June, I think were set up good for the stretch."

Invaders squeak by with 6-5 victory over Cowboys
Jun 3 2013 12:00AM

Joel Carranza slides into home plat
Joel Carranza slides into home plate as Mike McCarthy goes for the tag. The plate official ruled Carranza out. (Photo by Karen Boehler)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- Roswell earned a split in always-tough Kokernot Park Sunday after edging the Cowboys 6-5 in another nail-biter that wrapped up the four-game series.

"We played good baseball," said Invader manager Chris Ebright. "We knew we had to come in here, (against) Alpine at home and theyve been hungry. Theyve been on the road and we played good baseball."

"It was a good series," agreed Alpine manager Ryan Stevens. "The only game I was really completely unhappy with was (Saturdays opener)) and even then, I thought my bullpen came in and threw well. Couple of things early on in (Sundays) game we made mistakes on. Bryce (Weidman) has just thrown really well for us all year long, and he made a couple of mistakes and left the ball up and they capitalized on it."

Roswell got on the board early when Chad Kruse hit a one-ball double to open the game then came home on a two-outr double by Vincent Mejia.

Roswell pitcher Nate Johnson -- a familiar face from 2012 when he led the team on the mound -- started out a little shaky, but two first-inning walks were nullified by a double play.

After Weidman settled down in the second -- getting Roswell 1-2-3 -- Johnson gave up back-to-back singles by Joel Carranza and D.J. Johnson and a perfect sacrifice bunt by Brycen Bell that left runners on second and third with no outs.

Catcher Billy Crowe then hit a ball into the infield that was picked up and thrown to home. The umpire ruled Carranza out at the plate, drawing the ire of the fans, the Alpine dugout and Stevens, who strenuously argued that his runner was safe.

But all the arguing was to no avail, and Johnson got out of the inning unscathed.

After Weidman got out of a bases-loaded situation in the third, the Cowboys made up for the non-scoring second by going up 3-1.

Derrick Fox opened the offense with a double. Tyler Rost singled Fox in and a 3 RBI shot over the fence by Logan Lotti gave the home team the lead.

Both teams were scoreless in the fourth -- Johnson gave the crowd a good laugh when he hit a solid shot to center that should have been a double but fell down midway between first and second and just got back safely -- but the Invaders re-took the lead in the fifth.

Kruse singled, advanced on a ground out and scored on a Roger Bernal single. With two out, Mike McCarthy hit a two-run home run that made it 4-3. Roswell made it 6-3 in the sixth off reliever Matt Marra when Reggie Taylor singled, advanced on a wild pitch and came home on a Ryan Normoyle double and the lone error of the game. Normoyle then came in on a put out.

But the cowboys didnt go down easily.

They had runners on first and second in the bottom of the sixth and left them stranded, but teed off on relieverRyan Richardson, who, with one out, walked Rost and gave up a single to Casanova Donaldson.

Ebright then brought in another new/old Invader face, Dakota Laufenberg, who promptly hit Lotti, gave up an RBI sac fly to Carranza then hit Johnson before getting the final out.

Lotti then closed the gap to 6-5 in the ninth with a one-out solo home run and after reliever Ryan Rogers got the second out, Johnson was hit, putting the tying run on first and go-ahead run at the plate. But Bell hit a long fly ball to center, and Game 4 went to Roswell.

"Were going to fight to the very end," Stevens said. "Kokernot is a very difficult place to come and win two games from us, and hes got a good team over there and we didnt capitalize when we needed to and I dont think we did a good enough job offensively here. Theres no excuse. Weve got to walk away with a win."

Ebright was not only happy with the win, but with what he saw from both former-now current Invader pitchers.

"(Johnson) came in there and our offense came around and we got the lead and he settled down," the manager said. "He did great. I think he went six innings for us. We took him out because of his pitch count, but it was also the fourth time through their lineup. We have nothing but hopefully great things to look forward to with him here."

As to Laufenberg, "He was a little bit wild, but then again, hes fine. Hes one of those guys wholl usually throw every other day, and I think he sat for three days. So we brought him in when we did. Hes going to be just fine."

Because of the Saturday doubleheader, both teams get a day off Monday, something Stevens is very much looking forward to.

"Tomorrow will be our first day off in a month," he said. "Literally, and were going to take advantage of it and relax a little bit and spend some time refocusing and getting ready and well practice on Tuesday then well go from there."

The Cowboys head back yet again to Alamogordo -- their third meeting this season with the Pupfish -- while the Invaders host Trinidad Tuesday.

Pitchers dominate in DH split between Alpine, Roswell
Jun 2 2013 12:00AM

Roger Bernal tags second and throws
Roger Bernal tags second and throws to first in a double play that saw LOgan Lotti out at second. Chad Kruse didn"t have to do anthing except watch. (Photo by Karen Boehler)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- Pitchers dominated in both games in Alpine Saturday, with Roswell taking a 6-1 victory in the opener and Alpine coming back to win 5-2 in the nightcap.

Roswell 6, Alpine 1

Take away the starting pitcher in Game 1, and Alpine and Roswell had a pitchers duel. Invader Andrew Shoemaker pitched seven complete -- the first complete game for Roswell this season -- allowing only four hits and one run; the run on a blast over the left field fence by Joel Carranza.

"Shoemaker did great," said Roswell manager Chris Ebright. "He threw all his pitches for strikes and I tell you what, theres a lot of lefties in the league who are really mowing teams down by throwing all their pitches for strikes. Hes one of them and he did a great job."

Alpine manager Ryan Stevens agreed.

"I have nothing but good things to say about the starting pitcher for them the first game," he said. "He kept us off balance. His change-up was working. He just diced us up. He threw a really good game.

"And I tell you what. Ive only seen about three or four pitchers do that in Kokernot Field at my five years here. Come in and just shove the way he did. So that was impressive."

But Cowboy starter Derrick Mitchell wasnt, giving up six Invader runs, all earned, on eight hits and one walk in two innings to give the visitors a 6-1 victory.

After a scoreless first inning, Roswell scored all their runs in the second with two outs -- something theyve become very good at doing. Andrew Deeds led got a two-out single; Shoemakers walked and Reggie Taylor doubled in two. Taylor then scored on a Chad Kruse single before Ryan Normoyle grounded out.

Carranza made it 3-1 with his blast in the bottom of the second, but the Invaders added three in the third, and after that, the scoring shut down.

Roger Bernal walked to open the third, then Vincent Mejia followed that with a matching left-field home run to make it 5-1. One out later, Nate Theunissen singled and, after a pitching change, a fly ball by Shoemaker scored the final Roswell run.

After that, the game belonged to the pitchers, as Shoemaker completed his effort, and Josh Cruse, Kris Barone, Jeremy Burright and Sean Rockey wrapped up for the Cowboys, allowing only two more Invader hits.

"Our bullpen, even in the first game, was pretty lights out," Stevens said. "They did what they were supposed to do and I was pretty proud of them. Our starter got in some trouble. Left the ball up a couple of times and got hurt."

Shoemakers sounded happy, not only with his pitching but even with his hitting.

"I feel really good today," he said. "Obviously, throwing every pitch for a strike kept them off balance, so thats really what it was. Theyre a really good hitting team. About the RBI, I really just kind of lucked out. I got a fast ball and kind of got it in the air."

He was cheered on throughout the game by family, who came from around Texas and across the country to see him pitch.

Ebright hopes they show up every time the lefty pitches, while Shoemaker was just happy to see them.

"A lot of them I havent seen in a few years. Theyre just from the kind of area, so its definitely good to see them."

The pitcher was asked wjhat the team, that was beaten badly Friday, did to turn things around Saturday.

"Really, we are professional ball players, so we understand there are a lot of games were going to lose," he said. "So its not really how you lose, its how you come back from the loss. So its a new day. New pitches. New hitting. So we just come out and kind of flush it."

Alpine 5, Roswell 2

Game 2 also saw strong pitching, with Cowboy Brian Smith, who shut out Roswell the first time the two teams met, giving up two runs but still winning 5-2 with a complete-game effort.

"He did a complete game, but I think they beat us 8-0 when they were at our place," Ebright said. "We saw him the second time and we did a lot better. So maybe the next time well get him."  Alpine had a big third inning in the nightcap -- the third seems a problem for the Invaders -- scoring four runs on four hits and an error off JOrdan Lehman.

After Brycen Bell was hit, catcher Conor Thompson sent a shot out of Kokernot Park, making it 2-0. Derrick Fox and Tyler Rost followed with singles, which was it for Lehman. An error to the first batter Eric Lehman faced brought in Fox, then, one out later, Logan Lotti singled to make it 4-0.

The Invaders got their first runs of the year off Smith in the fifth when Kruse tripled and scored on an out, then Bernal homered to cut the lead to 4-2. The Cowboys got their final run in the sixth off Jesus Carlos when Smith reached on a fielders choice, advanced on a walk and scored on another Roswell error.

Roswell threatened in the top of the seventh, putting runnersat first and second with only one out, but the Cowboys closed the game with a double play.

"(Smith) threw a good game," Stevens said. "I was proud of him and we were able to get that double play at the end before they really started to get after us and he made a good pitch. In fact, that was his last batter. But regardless, its good baseball between the two teams and I think its going to be a fight to the finish between the two of us."

"Especially doubleheaders, you want to get them both at home and split on the road. So well take it," Ebright said. "Obviously, we wanted to win both. We showed at the end that we can make adjustments on what a pitchers throwing and we did OK."

With one more game at Kokernot Sunday -- a 1:05 p.m. start -- Steves still expects more from his team.

"As a whole, Im not unhappy about today, but its still unacceptable, especially in Kokernot Field," he said. "Were still not playing the best baseball. Were still not hitting it great. When I say were not playing our best baseball, were not putting it together. Because theres been times when were just hitting the crap out of the ball and then not pitching well."

Alpine gets second shut out over Roswell
Jun 1 2013 12:00AM

Brad Orosey threw a three-hitter ag
Brad Orosey threw a three-hitter against ROswell Friday, striking out 10 while earning the shutout. (Photo by Karen Boehler)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- After a rough road trip which the Cowboys ended with a 2-6 record over the last two series, Alpine was eager to get home to the friendly confines of Kokernot Stadium. Friday, they opened a brief home stand with a 5-0 shutout of Roswell, handing the Invaders only their second shutout of the season and their first two-game loss.

"We were ready," said Cowboy manager Ryan Stevens. "We had a lot of built-up aggression. We were pretty banged up and after about 14 games on the road, we were ready to come home and play at our spot. So were real glad about it."

Starter Brad Orosey pitched an awesome game, three-hitting Roswell with only three walks while striking out 10 Invaders.

"Thats what championship caliber teams have," Stevens said. "They have one of their aces come out on the mound in a real big game. He did that for us in the championship series last year. Hes just a workhorse and hes developed,. He had a couple of rough outing early on and hes worked his butt off and he will not stop until he gets better."

Orosey didnt go the full nine innings -- turning the final stanza over to reliever Matt Marra -- who set Roswell down 1-2-3 -- but Stevens said that was Oroseys choice.

"His pitch count was up and when Brad Orosey tells me hes had it, I listen," the manager said.

The Roswell starter didnt have a bad day, either.

"Ed Kohout did great," said Invader manager Chris Ebright. "He went six innings. He did OK. They hit the ball when they needed to and well come back offensively."

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the third when the Cowboys went up 1-0 on back-to-back-to back singles by Orosey, Derrick Fox and Eric Herman. Oroseys hit was contested by Roswell first baseman Nate Theunissen, who said he wasnt pulled off the bag, then, after that incident died down, there was another "only in the Pecos League" moment.

The umpires appeared to be discussing the call, but actually, the plate umpire had apparently become dehydrated in the 90-degree plus temperatures and needed to be cooled down. After water and some ice, he went back into the game to the cheers of the fans. (Which was ironic, since the Alpine fans had been needling the umpires mercilessly earlier.)

The Fox and Herman singles followed, with Orosey scoring the games first run on a ground out by Casanova Donaldson.

The Cowboys added two more runs in the fifth when Fox walked and Herman hit an RBI double, then, two outs later, a walk and error brought Herman in. Alpine got its final runs in the seventh when Donaldson singled and scored on a Logan Lotti double, then Joel Carranza had an RBI double.

Roswells only hits were singles by Ryan Normoyle and Vincent Mejia and a double by Matt Faiman.

"We kept them off balance," Stevens said. "We did a good job with that. Were on the same page. Were still banged up. Bryson (Sims) banged up. So is (Mike) Dobre. Lottis banged up in left field, but were manufacturing runs and were doing what we need to do."

Ebright was still able to smile after the loss.

"They got us on our bad days," he said. "We didnt play very well today, mentally or physically. We didnt have a good strategy. We knew what their pitcher has and we didnt make adjustments through the game. Thats all right. Well be all right."

The teams will face off in a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 4:05 p.m. at Kokernot Park, and Stevens said his team is ready.

"We are absolutely ready. Were going to come ready to compete every single day."

Cowboy Derrick Mitchell will face Andrew Shoemaker in the opener, while Brian Smith and Jordan Lehman will square off in the nightcap.

Both games will go seven innings, and Ebright said thats a good thing.

"If anything, its for the better," he said. "Because weve used a lot of bullpen this week, so two sevens, hopefully we dont have to use very many and we have Monday off. So hopefully today and Monday will help our stats a little bit."

Roswell Invaders 6 Alpine Cowboys 1
Jun 1 2013 12:00AM

Roswell Invaders 6 Alpine Cowboys 1

This game was played on 6/1/2013 at Kokernot Field

Starting Pupfish pitcher Chris Peac
Starting Pupfish pitcher Chris Peacock throws a strike. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)
By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- After losing four out of five to Alpine in the seasons first series, White Sands turned things around the second time the two teams met. The Pupfish took two out of three from the Cowboys, wrapping up with a 14-9 victory.

"We came out and hit the ball again today and scored a lot of runs and got to get our reserves in and get them some at bats and playing time," said White Sands manager Ernie Munoz. "It was a lot of fun. Everybody got to put a little bit of effort into todays win."

With starter Chris Peacock on the mound on the regulars in the field, the "Fish shut the Cowboys down through five, allowing no runs on only three hits. Meanwhile, the White Sands bats pounded the Alpine pitching.

The Pupfish went up 4-0 in the bottom of the first on four hits -- including a double by Christian Ramirez -- and an error. They added a fifth run in the second when J.J. Costantino singled and came home on a Ramirez single, walk and wild pitch, and another five in the third.

Cowboy starter Mike Castrignano couldnt get an out in the third inning, but reliever Jeremy Burright didnt do much better.

Castrignano hit a batter and gave up two singles, scoing two, and while Burright got the first out on a fielders choice, a Ramirez double and error brought three more Pupfish home. Neither team scored in the fourth or fifth, and Alpine finally broke through against Peacock in the sixth.

Derrick Fox and Tyler Rost both singled, Eric Herman walked; then an error scored Fox and Rost came home on a D.J. Johnson single.

Munoz started bringing in his subs in the seventh -- DJ Stinsman came in to pitch and pinch hitters came in then stayed in the field -- but White Sands continued to score, getting three more runs off Brian Milliman on three hits -- a Costantino double led the way -- a walk and a hit batter.

Alpine tallied three runs off four hits in the eighth, while the Pupfish added another run in the bottom of the stanza.

The Cowboys made things interesting in the ninth when Rost walked, Casanova Donaldson singled and Rost came home on an error.

Then, with two out and John Saavedra on the mound, Chris Torrance singled; Kenshoku Takubo walked; Conor Thompson reached on an error and Matt Mara singled, adding another four runs for the visitors. But after Fox singled, Thompson was caught off base and the game -- and series -- belonged to White Sands.

"I feel great," Munoz said of the win. "Its nothing we didnt expect. We came into the season expecting to win a championship, and thats the way were going to carry ourselves."

Both sides had some solid hitting. Ramirez was 4-for-4 with three runs; Costantino 3-for-5 with three runs; and Cody Collins and Jerry Gonzalez each 2-for-5.

The Cowboys had as many hits as the Pupfish -- 15 -- but simply couldnt make them count. Chris Torrance was 2-for-2 with two runs and RBI; Rost was 3-for-4 with two runs; Donaldson 2-for-5 with one run; and Fox 2-for-six with a run.

After a rough road trip, Alpine is probably happy to head home, where the Cowboys will face the 14-3 Invaders. Fridays game is set for a 7:05 (CDT) start. White Sands welcomes fresh-off-a-victory Raton, but Munoz said it doesnt matter who the Pupfish face. They have the same plan every day.

"We do what weve been doing," he said. "We just come out. Swing the bats early and play solid defense. It doesnt matter who we play. We dont really play against the other team. We just play ourselves every day."

Pupfish take 3-of-4 vs. Alpine
May 31 2013 12:00AM

Starting Pupfish pitcher Chris Peac
Starting Pupfish pitcher Chris Peacock throws a strike. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)
By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- After losing four out of five to Alpine in the seasons first series, White Sands turned things around the second time the two teams met. The Pupfish took two out of three from the Cowboys, wrapping up with a 14-9 victory.

"We came out and hit the ball again today and scored a lot of runs and got to get our reserves in and get them some at bats and playing time," said White Sands manager Ernie Munoz. "It was a lot of fun. Everybody got to put a little bit of effort into todays win."

With starter Chris Peacock on the mound on the regulars in the field, the "Fish shut the Cowboys down through five, allowing no runs on only three hits. Meanwhile, the White Sands bats pounded the Alpine pitching.

The Pupfish went up 4-0 in the bottom of the first on four hits -- including a double by Christian Ramirez -- and an error. They added a fifth run in the second when J.J. Costantino singled and came home on a Ramirez single, walk and wild pitch, and another five in the third.

Cowboy starter Mike Castrignano couldnt get an out in the third inning, but reliever Jeremy Burright didnt do much better.

Castrignano hit a batter and gave up two singles, scoing two, and while Burright got the first out on a fielders choice, a Ramirez double and error brought three more Pupfish home. Neither team scored in the fourth or fifth, and Alpine finally broke through against Peacock in the sixth.

Derrick Fox and Tyler Rost both singled, Eric Herman walked; then an error scored Fox and Rost came home on a D.J. Johnson single.

Munoz started bringing in his subs in the seventh -- DJ Stinsman came in to pitch and pinch hitters came in then stayed in the field -- but White Sands continued to score, getting three more runs off Brian Milliman on three hits -- a Costantino double led the way -- a walk and a hit batter.

Alpine tallied three runs off four hits in the eighth, while the Pupfish added another run in the bottom of the stanza.

The Cowboys made things interesting in the ninth when Rost walked, Casanova Donaldson singled and Rost came home on an error.

Then, with two out and John Saavedra on the mound, Chris Torrance singled; Kenshoku Takubo walked; Conor Thompson reached on an error and Matt Mara singled, adding another four runs for the visitors. But after Fox singled, Thompson was caught off base and the game -- and series -- belonged to White Sands.

"I feel great," Munoz said of the win. "Its nothing we didnt expect. We came into the season expecting to win a championship, and thats the way were going to carry ourselves."

Both sides had some solid hitting. Ramirez was 4-for-4 with three runs; Costantino 3-for-5 with three runs; and Cody Collins and Jerry Gonzalez each 2-for-5.

The Cowboys had as many hits as the Pupfish -- 15 -- but simply couldnt make them count. Chris Torrance was 2-for-2 with two runs and RBI; Rost was 3-for-4 with two runs; Donaldson 2-for-5 with one run; and Fox 2-for-six with a run.

After a rough road trip, Alpine is probably happy to head home, where the Cowboys will face the 14-3 Invaders. Fridays game is set for a 7:05 (CDT) start. White Sands welcomes fresh-off-a-victory Raton, but Munoz said it doesnt matter who the Pupfish face. They have the same plan every day.

"We do what weve been doing," he said. "We just come out. Swing the bats early and play solid defense. It doesnt matter who we play. We dont really play against the other team. We just play ourselves every day."

Another day, another one-run victory at the Aquarium
May 30 2013 12:00AM

Player/manager Ernie Munoz goes aft
Player/manager Ernie Munoz goes after a passed ball as Eric Herman heads for first. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- It was yet another down-to-the-wire match between Alpine and White Sands Wednesday, with the Cowboys squandering a bases-loaded, one-out situation in the bottom of the ninth to give the Pupfish an 8-7 victory.

"Were playing one of the better teams in the league, so Alpine and us, I think its going to be a battle every day," said White Sands manager Ernie Munoz. "Its been a one-run game this whole series, so were just playing good baseball right now and were going to keep rolling with it."

For the most part, it was the starters who had a rough time as most of the runs came early in the game.

Alpine went up 4-0 after half an inning off Jason Kuks. Derrick Fox, Eric Herman and Casanova Donaldson all singled, then, two outs later, D.J. Johnson walked and Brycen Bell hit a 2-RBI single. Billy Crowe followed that with yet another single, and Alpine had what looked like a solid lead.

But, Munoz said, those hits were nothing to write home about.

"It was a bleeder here and a duck-walk here. They werent solid hits. There were about seven bloop singles today, just hitting them where our guys werent."

And White Sands came back in the bottom of the stanza, scoring three off Gilbert Barrera.

J.J. Collins, Ernie Munoz and Cody Collins all singled, scoring Collins, then, with two outs, Mark Leacox doubled to make it 4-3 Alpine. Then, while the Cowboys shut down for the next two innings, the "Fish continued adding runs.

In the second, J.J. Costantino singled, Christian Ramirez walked and Munoz and Collins singled to make it 5-4. White Sands added a solo run in the third when Leacox doubled and Jerry Gonzales singled, but the Cowboys again battled back in the fourth.

Fox was hit and came home on a wild pitch and error that put Donaldson on first. Then, with two outs, Joel Carranza doubled him in, tying the game at 6-6.

The fifth saw the Pupfish again go on top when Leacox singled and Kuks doubled him in, then, after a scoreless sixth and seventh, both teams scored in the eighth.

Fox walked, stole second and came home on a Herman single that tied the game at 7-7, but White Sands took the lead in the bottom of the seventh when J.J. Costantino walked, advanced on two fly balls and scored on a wild pitch.

That set up the ninth.

Nick Alexander gave up a single to Logan Lotti, then Carranza reached on an error. The firsrt out advanced both runners, then Alexander hit Mike Dobre, loading the bases. But Alexander struck out the two pinch hitters that came to bat, ending the game with a one-run victory.

"He has ice in his veins," Munoz said when asked why he didnt pull Alexander. "He doesnt feel the pressure in that situation. So we didnt doubt him the whole time. We were comfortable with it and we came out on top."

As far as offense, both teams had 14 hits and three walks, including a pair of doubles.

"We have a strong offense," Munoz said. "Weve known that from the get-go. It was just our bullpen, it was a matter if were were going to turn that around. I think we made a couple of errors here and there in the past three games, but errors are down. The defense is looking up and weve made a few changes to our bullpen and were ready to go now."

That includes trying to take three out of four from the Cowboys in Thursdays closer.

"Were going to come out," Munoz said. "Thats what were looking to do so well take it game by game and well see how tomorrow goes."

Cowboys hang on for win despite late Pupfish come back
May 29 2013 12:00AM

Derrick Fox gets the ball in time t
Derrick Fox gets the ball in time to put White Sands player/manager Ernie Munoz out at second. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- White Sands started and finished strong at home Tuesday, but the middle innings belonged to Alpine, giving the Cowboys an 8-7 victory at the Aquarium.

"Yeah, we held on," said Cowboy manager Ryan Stevens. "We finally woke up. We were asleep at the wheel early on and finally decided to wake up and play a little baseball. I dont think we played particularly well, but we did wake up and put a couple of runs on the board and it was enough for us to win."

The Pupfish put one on board in the first when J.J. Costantino scored on a Cody Collins double, and one in the second when Chris DeBiasi reached on an error then came around on singles by Matt Gibbs and Costantino.

Alpine got its first run in the third on singles by Brycen Bell, Derrick Fox and Casanova Donaldson, but White Sands came back with two in the bottom of the stanza.

Cody Collins reached on a fielders choice, then scored on a single by George Ban and RBI double by DeBiasi. Ban came home on a groundout, making it 4-1.

But the Cowboys closed the gap on a two-run home run by D.J. Johnson after a Logan Lotti single, and while a single by Costantino and RBI double by Munoz made it 5-3, that was all the scoring the "Fish would get until the ninth. Meanwhile, Alpine kept scoring.

"We actually got to their starter," Stevens said. "He kept us off balance for a good portion of the game with his cutter. We were chasing stuff in the dirt. Finally I think he started to get a little tired. I think somewhere between 60 and 80 pitches he started to get a little tired and thats when we hit a couple of big shots off of him."

The Cowboys put up two in the sixth when Lotti homered, scoring Donaldson; two in the seventh when Brycen Bell singled, Derrick Fox walked and Donaldson doubled them in; and a final run -- which would be the difference -- in the ninth.

Michael Willis and Brandon Kuter allowed the late-inning runs and that, said Pupfish manager Ernie Munoz, has been the teams downfall.

"It was our middle relief, like its been all year. I dont want to put it all on them, because it is a team sport and we need to get help from other areas but our bullpen definitely has to get better and come in and throw strikes. When they do, we usually come out on top. When they dont, we end up like tonight."

Fox doubled, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Lotti single to take an 8-5 lead. But the Pupfish werent ready to surrender.

With one out in the bottom of the ninth, Ban singled and scored on a Ban home run. Mark Leacox and Jerry Gonzales both singled, putting runners on base, but Alpine closer Scott Hartline bore down, getting a strikeout and fly ball to preserve the victory with a save.

"Their closer, he came in and I thought we hit him well," Munoz said. "We scored two runs off him and we were a couple of feet from tying the game up. J.J. Costantino line out to left with two outs but hit the ball hard."

Shane Youngdale got the Cowboy win, going seven, with White Sands reliever Michael Willis getting the loss.

"Youngdale struggled early on, but he settled down his last four innings," Stevens said. "He got us to the bullpen in the seventh and our bullpen was solid tonight. Scott had a little rough edge, but hes gotta go through his lumps. This is his first year as a closer and hes evolving and getting better as hes going through adversity and adapting to getting hit around a little."

Offensively, Fox was 3-for-4 with two runs; Johnson 2-for-3 with 1 run and 2 RBI; Bell 2-for-4 with two runs; and Donaldson and Lotti both 3-for-5 with 3 RBI. Donaldson scored one run; Lotti two.

Costantino was 3-for-5 for the "Fish with two runs and an RBI; Ramirez, Ban and DeBiasi 2-for-4; and Munoz and Leacoz 2-for-5.

Once again, the plus for the Pupfish was their never-say-die attitude.

"Like weve been doing the last week or so, we have a lot of fight in us," Munoz said. "Were not going to give up. Its just a matter of staying ahead when we get ahead. We continue to let the better teams stay in the game with us and we should shut them down."

The teams will meet again Wednesday and Thursday -- both games at 6 p.m. in the Aquarium -- which will be the eighth and ninth meetings of the season.

"That only gets harder," Munoz said. "The more the pitchers, for any team, in any league, the more the pitchers see hitter, they have a step up on them. THey know their weaknesses and it just gets harder to hit."

Alpine Cowboys 8 White Sands Pupfish 7
May 28 2013 12:00AM

Alpine Cowboys 8 White Sands Pupfish 7

This game was played on 5/28/2013 at Griggs Park

Zagone- Weidman face off in Aquarium battle
May 28 2013 12:00AM

Alpine pitcher Bryce Weidman watche
Alpine pitcher Bryce Weidman watches as the ball comes in. Weidman didn"t get any hits, but pitched a strong six innings. (Photo by Josh Szwaczkowski)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- After several nights of mostly-close high-scoring games, the fans at the Aquarium were treated to something a bit different Memorial Day: an old-fashioned pitchers duel.

Starters Eric Zagone (White Sands) and Bryce Weidman (Alpine) faced off through six innings, with the score a mere 3-1 Pupfish when Weidman left the mound. Five more pitchers wrapped up the day, but in the end, the Cowboys couldnt get enough runs across, falling to the "Fish 4-3.

"It was a very good game," said White Sands manager Ernie Munoz. "Its the best baseball Ive seen since Ive been here. I think the only error in the game was a play where our shortstop threw it to our first baseman and the ball went through his glove. Our first basemans glove broke. The ball went through it and they called it an error, I guess. Other than that, all the plays were made on both sides. There was no chatter going back and forth. We just played real good baseball. Fun."

And they played close baseball, with neither team able to put up more than one run in any inning.

White Sands drew first blood when, in the bottom of the first, Jerry Gonzales singled, stole second and came home on a put out. Alpine tied the game in the second when Logan Lotti walked, advanced to second on another walk and third on a fielders choice then scored on a Billy Crowe double.

After that one sort-of error in the top of the fourth -- which didnt result in any runs -- Cody Collins walked in the bottom of the stanza; Andrew Parrish singled; Mark Leacox reached on an error to load the bases then Joey Friedman made it 2-1 Pupfish.

White Sands got its third run in the fifth when Gonzales singled, stole second and came home on a single by George Ban.

After a scoreless sixth, both sides put up a run in the seventh to make it 4-2.

Dustin Sandberg homered for Alpine, and Christian Ramirez singled and came home on a Collins double for the Pupfish. That winning run was given up by reliever Josh Cruse, who couldnt get any outs in the stanza, but Derrick Mitchell came in to close down both the seventh and eighth.

The Cowboys put up one more run in the eighth when three batters, led by Casanova Donaldson, walked off relievers D.J. Stinsman and Chad Hadzinsky. Joel Carranza flew out to center, scoring Donalson, but the other runners were stranded as Hadzinsky got the third out of the inning, then only faced four batters in the ninth to get thewin.

"Bryce didnt have his best stuff but he still competed and gave us a chance to win," said Alpine manager Ryan Stevens. "We made a costly error. We struggled out of some jams. We left runners on."

And more than that, Stevens said, his team only found out at 10:30 p.m. Sunday that Mondays game would be a 1 p.m. start.

"We had a two hour trip here this morning," the manager said. "I dont know what to say. I"m not going to make excuses. My guys were dragging ass today."

Munoz said that early start might have been a plus for his squad.

"For us, Eric Zagone came in and he just threw a lot of strikes (7). So we were able to get a lot of balls put in play and our defense made all the plays and everything seemed pretty easy," he said. "I dont know if it was because it was early on in the day. The guys werent as tired. I dont know. But both teams pitchers threw very well."

Hits were few and far between for both sides, as White Sands only allowed six and Alpine nine, but Collins was 2-for-3 for the "Fish with one run and RBI; Ban was 2-for-4 with 2 RBI; and Gonzales 2-for-5 with two runs scored. Crowe was the only Cowboy with more than one hit, going 2-for-3 with 1 RBI.

The teams will meet again Tuesday, with game time set for 6 p.m.

Smith 3-hits Roswell to stop Alpine skid
May 27 2013 12:00AM

Eric Gaylord slides in safe on a steal just ahead of the tag by Derrick Fox. (Photo by Robert Bailey)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ROSWELL -- Alpine manager Ryan Stev...
Eric Gaylord slides in safe on a steal just ahead of the tag by Derrick Fox. (Photo by Robert Bailey)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ROSWELL -- Alpine manager Ryan Stevens finally had something to smile about in Roswell Sunday, as the Cowboys out-pitched and out-hit the Invaders, getting a 6-0 victory in the finale of the four-game series.

The story of the game was pitcher Brian Smith, who held Roswell to three hits through eight innings, striking out 12 while only walking two.

"Brian Smith was unbelievable on the mound," Stevens said. "Hes has a couple of rough outings but hes been working his butt off and he wanted this bad. And he knew that we needed this and Im very proud of him."

"Their starting pitcher did very, very well," agreed Roswell manager Chris Ebright. "We couldnt figure him out."

While Smith -- and reliever Scott Hartling, who wrapped up in the ninth -- were shutting Roswell down, the Cowboys pitchers were putting runs on the board.

They went up 1-0 in the first when former Invader Casanova

Invaders win it in bottom of the ninth
May 26 2013 12:00AM

Brycen Bell slides safely into thir
Brycen Bell slides safely into third during a big third inning for Alpine Saturday. (Photo by Karen Boehler)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ROSWELL -- The Invaders went back to their old tricks Saturday at Joe Bauman Stadium, making everyone sit on the edge of their seats until they pulled out a 9-8 victory over Alpine.

But the fact that the game was that close meant that the Cowboys -- who struggled in the first two games against Roswell -- looked a lot better.

"They played great," said Invader manager Chris Ebright. "That team right there, the way they played tonight is why theyre going to win a lot more games than they lose. It just so happens, we got the last at bat."

"Hes right," agreed Alpine manager Ryan Stevens. "Hes got a good ball team over there and I have a lot of respect for Roswell over there. Theyre a well-rounded team. Thats the type of baseball youre going to see from the two of us. Those last two nights were just out there. But youre going to see a lot of good baseball."

The Invaders drew first blood in the second when another Andrew Deeds home run made it 2-0. But has been the case lately, Roswell struggled in the third.

"The third inning again," Ebright laughed. "The third inning seems to get us lately. But you know what? The third inning, we still have what? Seven more at bats because were the home team and you cant count our guys out. You cant do it."

That third saw Alpine put up five runs off starter Ed Kohout. Derrick Fx opened with a double, then, with one out, Logan Lotti singled, Joel Carranza reached on an error and D.J. Johnson sent the ball sailing over the fence for a grand slam home run.

Brycen Bell and Billy Crowe each followed that with singles, with Bell scoring on an out.

Roswell added a pair in the bottom of the stanza when Erick Gaylord singled, advanced on an error and came home on a single by Chad Kruse. Cruse later came home on a Roger Bernal single and put out.

The Cowboys got one run back in the fourth on back-to-back singles by Herman and Lotti and an error, then added another in the fifth when Crowe, Brad Orosey and Fox all singled.

Roswell pulled within one in the bottom of the stanza when Kruse walked, Ryan Normoyle was hit. Mejia hit an RBI single, Mike McCarthy walked and Nate Theunissen sent a sac fly to right.

With starters Orosey and Kohout done for the night, the relievers made thesixth go quickly, and Invader Ryan Richardson did the same in the seventh. But after Mejia singled and McCarthy walked off Josh Cruse, Gilbert Barrera intentionally walked Deeds then Matt Marra got the second out of the inning. But Gaylord unintentionally walked, forcing in Mejia, to tie the game at 7-7.

Thats the way it stayed in the eighth as both teams put a run on the board, then Eric Lambe shut the Cowboys down in the ninth. Deeds, who was 2-for-4 on the day and is batting .523, singled, Gaylord broke his bat but got another single then, with two out, Ryan Normoyle hit a walk-off single to win the game.

"We battled back, what four? Five innings?" Ebright asked. "We just kept doing it tonight. There were a couple of situations where I thought we should have brought more than one run in. Runner on second, less than two outs, even no outs. But you know what? Again, thats why we play nine innings."

Stevens had the same thoughts.

"Ive got a lot of young guys and there were certain situations they could have handled differently, but thats a part of learning," he said. "Theyve just got to figure it out now."

There was one other factor that made the Invader win even sweeter. The Roswell players spent the morning officiating at the Hike It and Spike It flag football tournament, a Memorial Weekend staple in the Alien City. That meant they were up early, calling games until mid afternoon then back at the ballpark for the game.

"They were out in the sun. You should see the funny tan lines these guys got from their hats backwards and their sleeves rolled up but again, I think theyre young enough not to know they should be tired," Ebright said. "Well do it again tomorrow. Well celebrate this win tonight but then weve got to get refocused as soon as we wake up."

All-around Invader effort gives them win No. 10
May 25 2013 12:00AM

Alpine"s Derrick Fox is tagged out
Alpine"s Derrick Fox is tagged out at home by Mike McCarthy after trying to score on a double by Casanova Donaldson. (Photo by Geoff Gunn)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ROSWELL -- The Invaders continue to mow down their opposition, moving to 10-1 on the season Friday with a 10-5 victory over Alpine.

Roswell continued to look good in all facets of the game, but even though the Invaders put up their 10 runs on nine hits, manager Chris Ebright said his team still needs to hit better.

"We got 10 runs but their pitching helped that," he said. "I dont know how many walks to strikeouts they had -- obviously Ill take that -- but were going to come across some pitchers who arent going to do that. So were going to have to get better in that sense."

The Cowboys did have a tough time on the mound and defensively, and thats something manager Ryan Stevens is not happy with.

"The fact is, with us, Ive never seen us make this many errors and its not acceptable and the boys know that," he said. "But the biggest problem is our pitching. Were walking way too many people. I think it was 15 guys who we walked and hit by pitch."

Four Cowboy pitchers actually walked 12, hit one batter and threw four wild pitches, with starter Mike Castrignano unable to strike out any batters on seven walks. Reliever Derrick Mitchell -- who only allowed two Invader runs in 3.1 innings -- struck out five and only walked two.

Roswells pitchers, on the other hand, were solid, with one exception.

"All except the third inning, Chad Hardison did great," Ebright said. "Jacob Cook looked the best hes been this year and Ryan Rogers does his thing the last two innings. Another game, three pitchers. It helps us out in the bullpen the rest of this weekend."

The Invaders put up two runs in the first when Chad Kruse and Ryan Normoyle walked and came home on a Roger Bernal single. Roswell made it 4-0 in the second when a walk, error and two outs put runners on second and third, and Chad Hardison came in on a wild pitch with an error then scoring Kruse.

But Alpine made it a game at least for one inning when Billy Crowe walked to open the third then, two outs later, Casanova Donaldson was hit, Logan Lotti walked to load the bases and Joel Carranza hit a four-run blast out of the park to tie the game.

That huge hit, as well as some near misses, made Stevens less unhappy with his offense.

"Offensively, I will say, and this is no excuse and Im not making excuses, but the fact is we scorched about seven or eight balls right at people. Derrick Fox scorched about two or three right to the fence and the wind didnt seem to be carrying them. Casanova hammers a ball to right center. Without the wind like that, that balls flying out of here."

And Roswell did make some solid defensive plays -- committing only one error -- including throwing Fox out at home after he reached on that lone error in the first.

"I sent D Fox home on that play," Stevens said. "It took a perfect throw on both ends to get him out at home and they did. Theyre a mentally sound team. Theyre a quality team, thats for sure."

The tie didnt last long, as the Invaders made it 5-4 in the bottom of the third on an error, and 7-4 in the fourth when Bernal singled, VIncent Mejia walked and Andrew Deeds doubled them home.

The Invaders added a solo run in the seventh when pinch hitter Matthew Faiman doubled and came home on an Erick Gaylord single and wild pitch, then added their final two in the eighth on two bases-loaded walks. After Carlos Camacho reloaded the bases, Kris Barone came in to pitch and got the final out on a magnificabt catch by shortstop Brycen Bell.

And Alpine got its final run off Rogers when Kenshoku Takubo hit a solo home run, but that was it for the Cowboys.

Stevens said he hasnt lost faith in his young team, and knows they can play better then theyre showing.

"Were not even close to playing our best baseball," he said. "In fact, I don;t think were playing really well at all. Weve got to find a way to come through and weve got to find a way of hitting our spots. Pitchers have to come in ready to go, no matter the strike zone of the umpire. It doesnt matter. Theres no excuse for that. Well be back out here tomorrow. Thats a promise."

And so will the Invaders, including a familiar face. Reggie Taylor, an outfielder who hit .360 with 11 home runs for Roswell last year, will rejoining the team.

"Im excited to get a veteran guy back, and especially a guy with his pop," Ebright said. "Even more of a batter in our lineup. I really dont think were where were going to be yet. I thing were still getting better. We just have to keep working every day."

Invaders crush sloppy Cowboys on Deeds grand slam
May 24 2013 12:00AM

Ryan Normoyle slides back safe just
Ryan Normoyle slides back safe just ahead of the catch by Cowboy Joel Carranza. (Photo by Robert Bailey)

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ROSWELL --�Neither thunder, lightning, rain nor an almost 45 minute rain delay could keep the Invaders from getting back on the winning track Thursday, as Roswell crushed Alpine 13-4 back at home in Joe Bauman Stadium.

It was a fitting way to start what the Invaders probably hope is another long win string, as they scored big in several innings, never trailing against the Cowboys.

"We had two errors today, which is better than weve done in the last two games, and we hit the ball in the situations we needed to," said manager Chris Ebright. "We had a great pitching performance from Jonathan Sa, and Matt Faiman came in for one. Eric Lambe came in for one and we hit."

The started hitting in the first, going up 2-0 on singles by Ryan Normoyle, Roger Bernal, Charles Dubanoski and the first of six Alpine errors. Those errors were just one of the things that had Cowboy coach Ryan Stevens understandably unhappy after the game.

"Our pitcher threw poorly. We looked like we were still asleep in the van from traveling here today, which is absolutely no excuse," he said. "Weve rolled off vans and weve stomped two teams. There should be no excuse for that. Were leaving too many runners on base. Striking out too much. Eight errors or six errors, whatever the case may be, is completely wrong. Thats terrible on our part. Were far too good a team for that. And a solid baseball team like Roswell is going to capitalize on it."

And thats what they continued to do.

After the Cowboys came back with one run in the second -- Sa walked Logan Lotti and Tyler Rost, a single to former Invader Bryce Bell and a scoring sacrifice by Shane Youngdale -- Roswell added three in the third to never trail again.

Alpine starter Youngdale got the first two outs of the stanza, but then allowed Vincent Mejia to single; walked Dubanoski and Nate Theunissen hit a shot that was picked up by the strong winds to left ands sent the ball out of the park.

Youngdale helped his own cause in the fourth, singling in Lotti, who earlier singled and advanced on two outs, but Roswell had another three-run inning in the fifth. This time, Bernal reached on an error and Mejias homered, then, after Theunissen reached on catcher obstruction, Deeds singled and another Alpine error brought Theunissen home.

The Cowboys had their only multiple-run inning in the sixth when Lotti walked, Tyler Rost singled and, with two outs, Sa threw a wild pitch and in trying to recover, an Invader error brought two runners home.

But Roswell came back big in the bottom of the stanza. Chad Kruse doubled off Gilbert Barrera, then, after an out, Bernal singled him home. Mejia struck out for the second out, but Dubanoski walked and Theunissen again reached on catcher obstruction, loading the bases.

That set up the situation for Andrew Deeds, who nailed the third Invader home run of the day, a grand slam.

"Hes a guy who, in that situation, hes going to try for it," Ebright said. "Hes just a great kid. Hes seeing the ball well lately, so it just happened to come."

It wasnt Deeds first grand slam -- he had two in college -- but that didnt make it any less special.

"Theyre special every time," he said. "Im just trying to put a good swing on the ball and one just happened to go out."

And is it true he was trying for the dinger?

"Im trying to send something in the outfield," Deeds said. "Not particularly a home run. I want to get the run in, maybe two."

That put the score at 13-4, which is where it stayed until the final out, which was looked to be a routine pop fly to the third-base side of the infield. But Lambe, catcher Dubanoski and third baseman Kruse all converged on the ball, which dropped untouched between them. Luckily, Lambe got Lotti to strike out, and the game really was over.

"Pitchers, they just need to get out of the way," Ebright said of the laugh-inducing hit. "Throw the ball and just lay down. Our pitcher was thinking he could catch it, and thats bad for first base and third base when the pitcher thinks he can catch it. And it didnt make me happy but our kids played a good game."

Which is something Alpine didnt do.

"Weve got to clean it up," Stevens said. "Weve got too much sloppiness. Even up to this points, 10 games into the season were 7-3 and Im still not happy with where were at at all. I think were a 9-1 team right now, because tonight we deserved to get our butts kicked. We came out, we looked like a deer caught in the headlights. And thats unacceptable. Well be back. Well be all right."

Ebright agreed, saying it wont be any easier Friday.

"Theyre a good team. Theyre better than what they showed tonight and itll be a tough three games coming up."

Cowboys close out home stand with win over Taos
May 23 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- Its not often you hear a coach singing the praises of his opposition, but thats exactly what Alpine manager Ryan Stevens did ...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- Its not often you hear a coach singing the praises of his opposition, but thats exactly what Alpine manager Ryan Stevens did after a 9-3 victory over Taos Wednesday.

"Ive got to tell you, that team that Taos has, (Manager Matt) Leahy, hes got some athletes on his team," Stevens said. "He has got some dudes who can hit the ball. They have some speed. I mean, I have a lot of team speed, but theyve got some speed and athletes! Holy moly! They are a very good team. People should not sleep on them. Thats one of the best teams Ive seen."

And that praise comes after a game in which the Blizzard ran out of bench players -- theyd sent a busload home to Taos the day before -- and had to pitch a last-minute starter.

The originally-scheduled starter got ill earlier in the day, and Shane Flynn had to step in with only 10 minutes notice.

"So he did pretty well for four innings," Leahy said. "Any time you can put a guy in that kind of situation and he comes out like Shane did, you have to

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- Taos broke a four-game losing streak on the road in Alpine Tuesday, topping the Cowboys 11-7 in a game where both teams played strong early, but Alpine struggled down the stretch at the plate and on the mound overall.

"We had a good game," said Blizzard manager Matt Leahy. "We ended up beating their pitching tonight. We had 12 hits and nine walks."

The Taos pitchers gave up seven walks themselves, but only allowed nine not-as-timely Cowboy hits.

Both teams scored big early.

Kyle RIchardson and Blair Springfield walked, then Richardson scored on a Brennan May double and both those runners scored on a Chris Constantino single.

The Cowboys got their runs a little more quickly, scoring when Eric Herman homered, Casanova Donaldson walked and scored on a double by Logan Lotti.

Taos kept the scoring going in the second, making it 6-0 when John Apostolo walked, stole second and third and came home on a put out. Khyle Dimino followed that out with a triple and Springfield scored him with a home run.

After that the scoring came a little more slowly.

Taos made it 7-3 in the third when Louie Gonzalez walked and came home on a Richardson single. The Cowboys added another run in the fifth when Hermandoubled and came around on a Brian Milliman single, but Taos came back in the top of the sixth scoring on a Springfield walk and Alpine error.

The fourth Cowboy pitcher of the night gave up back-to-back singles interspersed with two steals by Richardson, who then scored on Diminos hit, then the Blizzard added an insurance run in the ninth when Apostolo walked and came home on a Richardson double.

"We were very patient at the plate," Leahy said. "Let them put us on base and we capitalized on the nine walks."

Herman -- seemingly the only bright spot for Alpine Tuesday (3-for-4, three runs, 2 RBI) -- got the final Cowboy run on his second homer.

Springfield led the way with three walks while Gonzales and Apostolo had two each.

The Blizzard also ran their way to some of those runs, with Richardson 6-for-6 on the base pads, not to mention 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and 3 RBI. Constantino was 3-for-5 with 2 RBI.

"So we did very well stealing and well continue the effort and try to rack up some more stolen bases before we get out of Alpine and head to Santa Fe," Leahy said.

The teams will close out the series Wednesday at 7:05 p.m. CDT.

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- It was another tough night for Taos in Alpine Monday, and this time, it wasnt even close, as the Cowboys pounded the Blizzard 15-5, taking advantage of shaky Taos pitching.

"We walked too many guys and gave up hits when the bases were loaded. So thats what happened," said Blizzard manager Matt Leahy.

"We got after their starter a little bit," said Alpine manager Ryan Stevens. "He threw pretty well early on against us, hes a big power lefty, then he started to get fatigued and we got to him, and they had a couple of hitters that knocked a couple off Brad (Orosey) early on, which kind of made him mad and showed me a little side of him I hadnt seen before. He really gritted down."

Although play-by-play was not available, the line score shows the first two innings were scoreless, with Alpine starter Orosey and Taos starter Tyler Stuckey getting out of each inning fairly easily.

In the third, both teams scored, with Taos getting three runs on two home runs: a solo shot by John Apostolo and a 2-RBI dinger by Blair Springfield after Jordan Chiero singled. Alpine came back with two in the bottom of the stanza on a single by Billy Fox, Derrick Crowe double and an error.

But it the the fourth and fifth innings that made the difference as Stuckey allowed six Cowboy runs in the fourth and reliever Mike Russo gave up seven runs on only one hit -- and numerous walks -- in the fifth.

"Our relief pitching just crapped the bed again, which seems to be the theme here the past couple of days," Leahy said. "So well be making some changes along the way. Get some new guys in here."

"They lost control a little bit and we were patient and let them make their own mistakes, then we had a couple of big hits which drove runners in, which is how it came down," Stevens said. "Seemed like two or three different situations it was walk, walk, then a big hit bases loaded, then another big hit bases loaded."

Russ Burroughs got the final out in the fifth and shut down the Cowboys in the final three innings, and the Taos bats did add two more runs in the seventh. Still facing Orosey -- who struck out 10 -- Burroughs and Khyle Dimino singled, then, with two outs, Jason Berrios tripled before Orosey closed the Blizzard down.

Leahy said Berrios, who was 1-1-for-2 with 2 RBI looked good, as did Jordan Chiero, who was 2-for-5 with one run while "Cody Coffman (2-for-4) swung the bat pretty well."

Stevens was also pleased with hit hitters.

"Stucky three a really good game, but Ive got to give credit to some of the hitters in my lineup. They really had some good at bats against him," he said.

Although the walks in the big innings limited the overall hits, Fox was 2-for-5 with 3 runs and 2 RBI and D.J. Johnson 2-for-4 wirh two runs and RBI. Seven other COwboys, including Orosey, put up one hit each.

The teams will meet again Tuesday, with a 7:05 p.m. start, and despite a four-game slump, Leahy is still optimistic.

"At the end of the day, a season is not made in a week," he said. "So weve got some work to do. Well get back in the saddle, ride the horse and hopefully get a couple of Ws, and get out of here quickly. At the end of the day, you chalk it up to, "Its only one, but you can only say that so many times before it starts to add up."

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas -- Taos and Alpine battled through 11 innings in Alpine in the first extra-inning game of the Pecos League season, with the Cowboys winning their home opener 8-7 on a walk-off single by Derrick Fox.

But the loss wasnt a big concern to Taos manager Matt Leahy.

"Tonight was absolutely the best ballgame we had put together," he said. "The best ballgame to watch. The best ballgame to be in. At the end of the day we tip our hats to the Cowboys. It was just a great game to be a part of, something we can build off of."

The Alpine bus barely pulled into town from Alamogordo in time for the opening festivities.

"We were running on fumes from all our travel," said manager Ryan Stevens. "We got in about a half hour before batting practice. We had enough time to go eat Subway and come back."

Still, they jumped up early on the Blizzard, scoring three in the first on a home run by Joel Carranza, and four more in the fourth.

There, Carranza doubled in Cananova Donaldson, Carranza scored on a sacrifice fly and Brycen Bell and Billy Crowe, who had each singled, came in on a double by Mike Castrignano.

But that was all the scoring the Cowboys would get until the 11th, and Taos slowly and methodically chipped away at the lead.

Taos got on the board in the third on an opposite-field home run by Khyle Dimino that drew effusive praise from Leahy.

"To hit a home run in that park, but to also hit a home run opposite field is pretty impressive," he said.

Later in the inning, Louie Gonzales walked, stole second, took third on an error and came home on a sacrifice. The Blizzard added another pair in the fourth when Gonzales singled in Chris Constantino, who singled; and Eric Berkowitz, who walked.

After that, the Blizzard scored one run in each of the next three innings.

Dimino singled in John Apostolo in the sixth; Constantino singled in pinch runner Jason Berrios in the seventh after Berrios came in to run for Eric McGee, and stole second and third; and John Apostolo scored on a balk in the eighth after singling, stealing second, and going to third on a Dimino single.

That tied the game at 7-7 and by that time, both starters -- Berkowitz and Castrignano -- were long gone, as were five Alpine relievers and two Taos relievers.

Javier Perez went through the 10th for Taos, allowing four hits but no runs; and Scott Hartling and Carlos Camacho wrapped up for Alpine -- Camacho getting the win after walking the bases loaded in the top of the 11th and getting out unscathed. Then, in the bottom of the 11th, with Sam Briend on the mound for Taos, Logan Lotti doubled, Crowe and Mike Dobre walked and Fox singled in Lotti for the win.

"We showed a lot of resiliency during a time of a lot of travel and just a lot going on," Stevens said. "Rolled into town just before batting practice and they played their butts off. Were still striking out too much and leaving too many players on base. But like I said, were progressing. Were moving forward. And championship teams win even when they dont play well, so I will take a win. Theres still things Im not happy about and things we need to work on and move forward on."

Leahy was also happy, praising not only Dimino -- who was 3-for-5 with one run and 2 RBI -- and pinch runner Berrios, but fill in outfielder James Martinez.

"(He) really kept them from scoring runs. To have a guy who normally plays second base, to go out there and play right and left fields and catch balls and throw balls in and do it like hed been doing it for a while, that really helped us too."

Leahy was also happy all but two or three of his 25-man roster saw playing time.

"Im happy. Everyone got in. Our pinch hitters came through. Our bullpen came through. We intentionally walked guys, something you dont really practice. We executed that. We executed left on left, righty on right. We ended up intentionally walking four guys, and we came through in three of those situations."

But he knows the long game will set up an interesting series.

"We put pressure on their pitching and I think we set ourselves up for a great series with Ryan Stevens, considering how much pitching we did use tonight. So its going to be interesting to see what card we both play tomorrow."

That game is set for a 7:05 p.m. start in Kokernot Field.

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- Just as Cowboy coach Ryan Stevens predicted, Alpine closed out its series at White Sands with another victory, topping the Pupfish 7-4 Saturday to go 4-1 on the season.

"We just consistently controlled them the whole game," Stevens said. "That was more normal Cowboy-style play."

Except for the second, when the Cowboys put three runs on the board, neither team could get more than one run across the plate in any inning. After a 0-0 first, Alpine tok a lead it would never give up.

D.J. Johnson reached on an error, then, with one out, Kenshoku Takubo, Billy Crowe, Shane Youngdale and Derrick Fox all singled, with Crowe, Youngblood and Fox each getting RBIs.

The "Fish got a run back in the bottom of the stanza when Case Rigby hit a solo home run -- his first of the year -- but White Sands wasted back-to-back singles after that, stranding two.

Both sides added a run in the fourth. Cowboy pitcher Shane Youngdale homered for Alpine while Pupfish Chris DiBiasi singled and came home on a Ryan Pembroke single. Stevens, whos not shy about saying he doesnt like pitchers hitting, said he was surprised with Youngdales shot.

"Its a surprise any time a pitcher hits a home run," Stevens said. "He closed his eyes and swung as hard as he could."

Both teams again scored one in the fifth: Cowboy Johnson reached on an error, stole second then came home on a single by Brycen Bell. Chris Anklam led off the White Sands inning with a walk, then, after two outs, scored on an Anklam single.

Neither side scored in the sixth, then the Pupfish closed the gap to 5-4 in the bottom of the seventh off relievers Josh Trejo and Matt Mara. Trejo walked the first three batters he faced, then Mara got the next three out, but a Mike Mendoza fly ball scored George Ban.

But that was the last Pupfish run, and Alpine added one in the eighth when Trejo singled, stole second and came home on a Herman single; and one in the ninth on a ground rule double by Johnson, a Bell single and a two-out White Sands error.

Stevens said his MVPs were not the best hitters on the day -- Bell was 3-for-3 with an RBI; Youngdale 2-for-3 with one run and RBI; Herman 3-for-5 with an RBI; and Fox 2-for-5 with and RBI -- but his pitchers.

Cruse managed to get out of the sixth with no Pupfish runs, despite a pair of errors in the outfield, and Maras work in the seventh.

"Those guys deserve MVP of the game. They were awesome," the manager said.

Only DiBiasi (2-for-3, one run) and Chris Collins (2-for-4) had multiple hits for White Sands.

The Cowboys now head home -- something Stevens said everyones ready for -- for their home opener vs. Taos Sunday at 6:05 p.m. Stevens said the Cowboys are ready for the Blizzard.

"Bring them on. Bring them on," he said. "They better sleep with one eye open."

The Pupfish head over the hill to face league leading (5-0) Roswell in a 5 p.m. Sunday matchup.

Weidman pitches Alpine to victory
May 18 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- Bryce Weidman threw a two hitter through eight innings Friday, leading Alpine to a 7-1 victory over White Sands in the Aquarium.

Alpine manager Ryan Stevens called Weidman "the player of the game," noting "His command was spot on tonight."

The only Pupfish run came in the seventh, when Erik Nockleby was hit and advanced on a wild pitch. Pinch runner Mike Mendoza went to third on an error and scored on a fielders choice, but that was the only "Fish runner to cross the plate, as Weidman allowed his only two hits in the eighth, but no runs.

Carlos Camacho gave up a double and two walks in the ninth, but got out of the bases-loaded situation unscathed. The Cowboy offense, meanwhile, went up 2-0 in the second when D.J. Johnson singled and scored on a Billy Crowe double, with Weidman helping his own cause by singling in Crowe.

Alpine added one in the third on singles by Casanova Donaldson and Joel Carranza, with Donaldson scoring on a put out. They made it 5-0 in the sixth when Tyler Rost singled, went to third on an error then came home on a fly ball. Derrick Fox then walked and came around on singles by Donaldson and Eric Herman.

The Cowboys rounded out the scoring in the seventh when Brycen Bell singled, Tyler Rost reached on an error and, with two outs, Bell came home on Weidmans second single -- he was 2-for-4 in addition to his effort on the mound -- and Rost on a bases-loaded walk to Herman.

Still, despite all that, Stevens said it wasnt his teams best performance.

"It does make me feel good, but Im still not satisfied," he said. "I didnt think we played our best baseball. We hit the ball hard at times, but at the same times, there were still a few sloppy plays; leave runners on base; and striking out at the plate far too much. But as a whole, it was a good team-effort win. Weve got good team speed. We put the ball in play when we need to. We try to manufacture runs any way we can."

Herman, Donaldson and Joel Carranza each were 3-for-5, with Herman tallying one run and RBI and Donaldson 1 RBI.

The teams wrap up their five-game series Saturday at 6 p.m. in Alamogordo.

By Karen Boehler

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.

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- A bit of a struggle by Alpine starter Brad Orosey led to an 8-4 White Sands victory in the second game of the series between the Pupfish and Cowboys, but Alpine manager Ryan Stevens wasnt worried about the early-season loss.

"My starter, he just didnt throw well," Stevens said. "He was off. And we just had some bad breaks and they squirted a couple of balls up into the gap, but Im not worried. It was bound to happen."

After Cowboy Casanova Donaldson hit his second home run in as many days to put Alpine up 1-0 in the top of the first, the "Fish came back with four in the bottom of the stanza.

After J.J. Costantino started the inning off with a walk, Christian Ramirez reached on an error; Mike Mendoza singled in Costantino; Case Rigby walked and Cody Collins scored Ramirez with a sac fly, making it 2-1 White Sands. Chris DiBiasi then hit a 2 RBI double, and the Pupfish never again trailed.

They made it 5-1 in the second on a Constantino triple and Ramirez double, and 7-1 in the fourth on a Constantino walk, Ramirez triple and RBI sac fly by Mendoza.

Matt Gibbs gave up his second and third runs in the seventh, only one earned, when D.J. Johnson singled, Mike Dobre reached on an error and Johnson and pinch runner Billy Crowe scored on another error.

The Pupfish scored their final run off Matt Mara, in for Josh Trejo, who only allowed one hit in two innings, when Joey Friedman singled and Costantino singled him in. The Cowboys wrapped up the scoring in the ninth when Johnson, Crowe and Kenshoku Takubo walked and Brycen Bell hit a sacrifice off reliever Nick Alexander.

Centerfielder Constantino was 3-for-3 on the day with three runs scored and 1 RBI. Ramirez was 2-for-5 with two runs and 2 RBI; and Mendoza 1-for-2 with with one run and 2 RBI.

Donaldson had another good day for the Cowboys, going 2-for-4 with a single and the home run.

Stevens said a few minor injuries -- including a hamstring pull by Dobre -- contributed to the loss, but he knows its early.

"Im not worried at all. Second game of the year, still working out some kinks. Well be all right."

The teams meet again Thursday at 7 p.m. in the Aquarium.

Alpine comes back late in season opener vs. White Sands
May 15 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALAMOGORDO -- After a long night with little sleep, Alpine had a slow start in their season opener vs. White Sands, but after the Pupfish took advantage of the Cowboys lack of rest for six innings, Alpine took the lead in the seventh and broke it open in the eighth, winning 8-5.

"I tell you what, Im proud of them. They showed a lot of resiliency," said Cowboy manager Ryan Stevens, explaining that after a successful meet and greet Monday night -- following three hours of community service Monday morning -- the team didnt pull into Alamogordo until 3:30 a.m. and was back up at 7 a.m. for the 10 a.m. game.

"Were going to come out. Were going to pitch well. Were going to play good defense. Were going to have good team speed and were going to manufacture runs any way we can. They made some errors early on that we didnt capitalize on, and weve got to do a better job than that. But as a whole, Im proud of them. Three-and-a-half, four hours of sleep, Im proud of them."

Both starting pitchers did a good job.

Pupfish starter Justin Kuks only allowed two Alpine runs, neither earned.

In the first, Eric Herman reached on a White Sands error, went to second on a fielders choice and third on a Joel Carranza single then came home on a D.J. Johnson single.

Johnson was hit by a pitch to open the fourth, went to second on an error, then came home on a Mike Castrignano single.

But that was all the Cowboys could manage through six, while the "Fish went up 2-1 in the bottom of the first off Castrignano.

JJ Costantino was hit to open the bottom of the stanza, Chris DiBiasi doubled then Costantino came in on consecutive putouts.

After Alpine tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth, Mendoza singled in the bottom of the fourth, stole second and third and came home on a fly ball by Cody Collins.

That 3-2 score held through the sixth, keeping the full house of elementary schools students and their teachers -- Tuesday was Alamogordo Public Schools Day -- very happy.

But facing Pupfish reliever Matt Barger in the seventh, the Cowboys took the lead when Eric Herman ad Casanova Donaldson walked and, after stealing their way to second and third, scored on another White Sands error.

Josh Cruse, who got the win for Alpine, and Gilbert Barrera shut the Pupfish down in the sixth, seventh and eighth.

Barger walked Brian Milliman to open the top of the eighth, then with two out, Fox doubled, scoring Milliman; Herman doubled to score Fox and Chad Hadzinsky came to the mound and gave up a 2-2 home run to Donaldson before closing out the inning with a strikeout.

The Fish didnt go quietly, adding two runs in the bottom of the ninth off Kris Barone on a Case Rigby single and Collins home run -- Collins was 2-for-3 with one run scored and 3 RBI -- but it wasnt quite enough.

"On the offensive side, I was pretty happy with them, but on the defensive side, we need to get better," said White Sands manager Kevin Nunn. "We need to get more consistent. Just little things of making a routine play, can turn it into something positive. Because if it doesnt turn into something positive, then it makes the pitcher throw more pitches and an inning goes a little longer. So, I just told these guys, "Dont quit. Weve got to do the little things and as soon as were consistent doing the little things, the big things will fall into place for us."

Both managers were happy with their starting pitching and the home runs.

"We were lucky enough to snag (Donaldson) away from Roswell," Stevens said. "Hes been a great young man to have around in Alpine. Fans love him. Hes been working his butt off and he really wants to have a really big year and hes really committed to the cause. He wants to bring the championship back to Alpine."

"Its always nice to get that (first home run) out of the way," Nunn said. "Codys been working pretty hard. He came in not hitting very well, so hes spent a lot of time trying to get his timing back, so I was pretty happy with that."

"I was very happy with (Kuks)," Nunn said. "The first time I went out there (to the mound), he went, "Coach, this is my inning. I go, "All right, and the next time he turns around and gets a double play. So that was good."

"Their starter threw a really good game," Stevens agreed. "He really competed. He had a good fast ball. Good off speed. He really competed really well. I was very impressed with him. The key has always been for us is to get in the bullpen. Thats the way it was in the playoffs for us. Thats the way it was in the season last year. Get into their bullpen and see what happens."

Alpine will start Brad Orosey Wednesday while the Pupfish will counter with Matt Gibbs in a 6 p.m. start at the Aquarium.

Character key for Alpine Cowboys in 2013
Apr 16 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas — The Alpine Cowboys are one of the three original Pecos League teams remaining, and the only team to have the same manager si...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas — The Alpine Cowboys are one of the three original Pecos League teams remaining, and the only team to have the same manager since even before the league began.

Which means manager Ryan Stevens knows what he wants from his team, and while skill on the baseball field is obviously important — Alpine wouldn’t have won last year’s title without it — Stevens is also looking for something more ephemeral: character.

And he feels he’s got that with both the players he signed from the Spring League and those on his spring training roster.

“Character’s a big thing for me,” Stevens said, “and I think it takes good-quality people to make a good team.”

That character starts with the five players the Cowboys got from the Spring League. Two, Kyeong Min Kim and Yoshimune Tsuji, come from across the Pacific — specifically South Korea and Japan — and Stevens said he and the Alpine community are happy to see them on board.

“I really think they’ll be a

The Ticket AM 1310 makes West Texas Tour will broadcast from Alpine.
Apr 11 2013 12:00AM

The Ticket makes West Texas Tour wi
The Ticket makes West Texas Tour will broadcast from Alpine. Mike Fernandez of the Ticket AM 1310 and FM 104.1 from the Dallas Metroplex is making a West Texas Sports Tour. They are broadcasting from Kokernot Field on Wednesday April 17th from 5:30-10:00 AM Central Time Zone. You can listen at http://www.theticket.com/. There will be members of the current Alpine 06 Cowboys Staff interview during the show.

Dear Friends:

Th
Dear Friends:

This is a second call for volunteers; guy and gals included, to complete the work begun last Thursday and Friday; that is to help scrape and prime some of the seats at Kokernot on behalf of the Alpine "06" Cowboys and the history of Kokernot baseball. The work is continuing Monday morning at 10:00 am and is coordinated by Kristin Cavness, Cowboy"s GM and #1 volunteers, Jerry and Carole Teeples (of the Cow Bell Gang).

Most of the seats requiring immediate attention in the first 3 or so front rows have been scraped and sanded ... many primed. No, we won"t be painting; but the before work is in the hands of volunteers. Remaining is getting to those seats needing spot attention and with a few extra hands, there won"t be all that many remaining to do.

Let me know if you"ll be able to make it; but call Jerry at either 432-837-3070 or 386-0727 to see what he needs in addition to our help. Among the things, I suppose a long sleeve shirt for the remaining chair seats in the sun; sun screen; gloves and hat to keep the saw dust at bay. If someone has a disc sander with a very course grade of sand paper, that would be very good, too.

Jerry has provided some of the equipment, paid for sheets of sandpaper and hauled a chest of cold beverages. Last Friday, I chipped-in for lunch at Subways. We"ve had a good time and a sense of accomplishment. Love to see you on Monday morning at the stadium.

Peace, love and blessings, Barry PS The Thursday crew was on ESPN!! Barry Zavah 432-294-2087

Kokernot Field the gem of the Pecos League
Feb 27 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE — While several of the Pecos League stadiums have a long history, Kokernot Stadium in Alpine has the most storied history of them all...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE — While several of the Pecos League stadiums have a long history, Kokernot Stadium in Alpine has the most storied history of them all.

Dating back to 1947, the field has been called “The Best Little Ballpark In Texas [or Anywhere Else] in a cover story by Sports Illustrated and "the Yankee Stadium of Texas" by Texas Monthly magazine and there’s an entire book devoted to the stadium. So even if you’re headed to Alpine to cheer for the opposition, it’s a field that’s worth admiring.

In 1947, local rancher Herbert Lee Kokernot Jr. decided he wanted a ballpark for his semipro team, the Cats. According to Cowboy general manager Kristen Cavness, the great granddaughter of Kokernot, the initial design wasn’t very fancty.

“He started off with tin walls and wooden stands and stuff, and it kind of looked a little shabby, and my great-great grandfather drove by and said, ‘If you’re going to build this, you need to build it right, if you’re going to put our brand on it and our name.’

Cowboy organization gives back to the community
Feb 22 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE — Most professional sports franchises — no matter how big or small — are designed as for-profit corporations. Whether or not they...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE — Most professional sports franchises — no matter how big or small — are designed as for-profit corporations. Whether or not they actually make any money, the goal is to eventually give owners and stockholders something to put in their pockets as a reward for their support.

But a few teams have gone another way, and the Alpine Cowboys are one of those teams.

After the Big Bend Cowboys folded when the Continental League ended, locals created Big Bend Community Baseball and Softball, Inc., a non-profit organization with specific goals in mind.

“The overall goal for Big Bend Community Baseball and Softball is to help maintain and preserve Kokernot Field, as well as educate and give an opportunity to the youth of the Big Bend area to play the game of baseball and softball,” said board member Bob Ward.

“Hopefully we can raise some money to help with the Little League and the softball organization, and we’d love to build some baseball fields so they can have tournaments

Alpine brings consistency to Pecos League
Jan 18 2013 12:00AM

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas — When you think of consistency in the Pecos League, one team comes to mind immediately: the Alpine Cowboys.

The cornerstone fran...

By Karen Boehler
Pecos League writer

ALPINE, Texas — When you think of consistency in the Pecos League, one team comes to mind immediately: the Alpine Cowboys.

The cornerstone franchise, the Cowboys were the first team to join the fledgling league after the Continental Baseball League folded in 2009. Las Cruces also made the move, but with the Vaqueros no longer part of the Pecos League, that leaves Alpine the longest sitting team.

But Alpine"s baseball history goes back much farther than that, starting in 1946 when rancher Herbert L. Kokernot, Jr., turned the former Alpine Cats into the Cowboys — using the ranch"s "06" brand as their logo.

In 1947, Kokernot built a smaller version of Wrigley Field in the far south-Texas town, and that field, described by "Texas Monthly" as "the Yankee Stadium of Texas," is still being used today with a strong fan base supporting the team.

Another consistency is the Cowboy"s management. Manager Ryan Stevens has been with the team since their time in the CBL, guiding the team to the CBL league championship