Las Cruces Vaqueros Outlast Carlsbad Bats 7-6

June 24 2011 The Las Cruces Vaqueros rallied for a 7-6 victory over the Carlsbad Bats in a 12-inning contest. Las Cruces scored three runs in the third inning and added one in the fourth before the teams traded runs late. The Vaqueros scored twice in the 12th to secure the win after Carlsbad had taken a 6-5 lead in the top half of the inning.

Rob Herrmann led Las Cruces offensively, going 3-for-5 with three RBI. Steve Vranau added two hits and two RBI, while Clint Stroud hit a home run and drove in two runs. Carlsbad received two RBI apiece from James Mays and Kieran Bradford, with Michael Cavazos and Greg Perret each collecting two hits.

Las Cruces starter Luis Carreras worked eight innings, allowing 10 hits and three runs, including one earned, while striking out eight. Thomas Romero earned the win after pitching three innings and surrendering one hit and one run, which was unearned. Carlsbad starter Charles Swenson struck out five over five innings, and John Bonifacini fanned eight in 5 2/3 innings before Steve Merslich took the loss after allowing two runs in two-thirds of an inning.