Vaqueros Hold Off Invaders 7-6

July 15 2011 The Las Cruces Vaqueros held off the Roswell Invaders 7-6 after Roswell scored three runs in the ninth inning. Las Cruces finished with seven hits and one error, while Roswell collected eight hits without committing an error.

Roswell opened the scoring with three runs in the first inning, but Las Cruces answered with one run in the second and a five-run third to take a 6-3 lead. The Vaqueros added another run in the fifth before Roswell mounted its late rally. Las Cruces’ seventh-inning lead was trimmed to one, but Brandon Kelley recorded the save.

Juan F. Martinez led Las Cruces with two hits, including a home run, and two RBI. James Lilley also homered and drove in one run, while J.T. Putt finished with one hit, two runs and one RBI. For Roswell, Kevin Hoef went 2-for-3 with one RBI, and Josh Cakebread added two RBI. Joey Friedman collected two hits.

Drew Cavender earned the win for Las Cruces after allowing six hits and three runs, two earned, in eight innings. He walked four and struck out 10. Kelley worked the ninth, allowing two hits and three runs while striking out one. Roswell starter Brian Lewis took the loss after surrendering three hits and six runs, five earned, in 2 1/3 innings.