Las Cruces Holds Off Alpine 5-4

July 18 2011 The Las Cruces Vaqueros defeated the Alpine Cowboys 5-4 after building an early lead and holding off a late Alpine rally. Las Cruces scored once in the first inning and twice in the second to take a 3-0 advantage, then added two runs in the sixth. Alpine answered with two runs in the fourth, one in the fifth and one in the ninth, but could not complete the comeback.

Juan F. Martinez led Las Cruces with three hits in four at-bats and scored once. J.T. Putt scored twice, while Steve Vranau, Justin Lucero and Rob Herrmann also scored. Herrmann added Las Cruces’ only extra-base hit with a double. Alpine received two-hit games from Kyle Wells, David Valesente and James Kono. Wells and Valesente each drove in a run, and Zach Welch also had an RBI.

Brandon Veronee worked seven innings for Las Cruces, allowing five hits and three runs, one earned, while striking out four and walking two. Mike Duckworth pitched the final two innings for the save, allowing four hits and one run. The game information lists Andy Watson as the winning pitcher, while Greg Denton was listed as Alpine’s losing pitcher. Bryant Asnicar struck out three in 2 2/3 scoreless innings for Alpine.