5/12/2012-Las Cruces Vaqueros 13 White Sands Pupfish 9- The Las Cruces Vaqueros won the Opening Game of the 2012 season 13-9 in Alamogordo Friday Night. The game was almost delayed by huge 45 mph winds blowing straight in from center field and gusting rain. The weather calmed down and the game played. The Vaqueros jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the 2nd inning on back to back errors by the Pupfish. The Pupfish answered with 6 runs in the bottom of the 2nd and seemed in control of the game. Jordan Stouffer went 4-6 and lead the Pupfish offensively. The Vaqueros went into the 9th inning down 9-6. the difference in the game was Sal Rivera hit a two out two strike single in the bottom of the 9th to tie the score at 9-9. Rivera had previous fouled a pitch off of his ankle and was almost removed. He decided to carry on and drove a pitch of the middle to tie the game with two outs and two strikes. Richard McNeal held the Pupfish in the 9th. Trevor Whyte hit a towering two run homer to open up the game. Casey Dill won his first game managing in the Pecos League. The Vaqueros have a strong competitive energy and are a much better team than 2011's version.