Ruidoso Osos Hold Off Las Cruces Vaqueros 9-8

June 11 2011 The Ruidoso Osos held off the Las Cruces Vaqueros 9-8 after Las Cruces mounted a two-run rally in the ninth inning. Ruidoso scored five times in the seventh to take a 9-6 lead and finished with eight runs on eight hits, while Las Cruces collected 16 hits but left the tying run short of home plate.

Ruidoso's Kip Masuda went 3-for-4 with a home run and two RBI. Case Rigby added two hits, two runs and two RBI, while Sam DiMatteo contributed a pinch-hit double and an RBI. Las Cruces was led by Rob Herrmann, who went 3-for-3 with three RBI, and Steve Detweiler, who had three hits, two RBI and a double. Henry Fuentes added two hits, two runs and an RBI, and Las Cruces hit three home runs overall from Fuentes, Steve Vranau and Herrmann.

Chris Welborn earned the win for Ruidoso with two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and striking out one. Josue Iniguez recorded the save despite allowing two runs on three hits in the ninth. Alan Gatz started for the Osos and gave up six runs on 10 hits over five innings while striking out six. Las Cruces starter Jorge Crespo allowed six earned runs, five hits and nine walks in 6 1/3 innings, and Brandon Kelley was charged with the loss after surrendering three runs in one-third of an inning.