2/19/2022 | Softball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

TUCSON, ARIZ. – Eastern New Mexico softball dropped a pair of games at the D2 Cactus Classic on Saturday afternoon. First, Eastern feel 6-0 against Azusa Pacific, then the Hounds were beaten 4-1 against Colorado Christian. The Greyhounds fall to 7-6, while Azusa Pacific improve to 6-7, and Colorado Christian move to 10-3.

GAME ONE: AP 6, ENMU 0

The Greyhounds threatened early in the second frame. After a leadoff single from Kianna Galindo, Alanna Larkins pulled a ball to left field placing runners on the corners with one out. A fielder’s choice cut Galindo down at home to keep the frame scoreless, but Eastern loaded the bases after a hit-by-pitch. However, nothing would come from it as ENMU stranded three base runners to end the inning.

In the next half inning, Azusa Pacific brought home the first two runs of the game. Three singles and a few stolen bases allowed the Cougars to score the games first runs. From then, the Cougars pitching tamed the Hounds over the rest of the game. ENMU were held to just two hits, but were able to get on base from seven walks.

Azusa Pacific tacked on three more runs in the fifth, and one final run in the seventh, as the Hounds were bested 6-0.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Galindo and Larkins produced both hits, while Azalea Martinez reach base twice after two walks.
  • Brook Leger takes her first loss of the season (6-1), throwing five innings and allowing five runs from 10 hits. Taylor Harrison entered the game to throw, finishing with 2.0 innings pitched and one run allowed.
  • Sydnie Sahhar collected the win for the Cougars, throwing five scoreless innings. Liz Phillips and Aly Montesino each pitched one frame with no hits allowed.

FROM THE SOURCE

“We did not have a lot of production at the plate today, so it hurst leaving 10 runners on base and not executing to get them across,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. When we are in tight ball games, we need to be able to fins a way to get the job done. We just couldn’t get the timely hit we needed throughout the lineup”.

GAME TWO: CCU 4, ENMU 1

Both teams started well defensively, as no team were able to score through the first three innings. On the mound, Lisette Urquidez and Harrison had combined for no hits and just three walks, tied 0-0 after three full innings.

Eastern had a chance to score the game’s first run in the fourth, with the bases loaded and one out. However, the Cougars managed to turn a double play to end the inning still at 0-0. Colorado Christian scored the games first runs in the bottom of the fourth. A single with the bases loaded brought home two runs, then another single sent the third run of the inning home. The Cougars led 3-0 heading into the fifth frame.

The Hounds replied instantly in the top of the fifth. A pair of singles from Sierra Wooley and Maite Bustillos put runners on the corners with one out. Urquidez stepped in a provided an RBI double to centerfield. A groundout ended the ENMU scoring, but the Hounds closed the gap to 3-1 CCU.

CCU found a solo homerun in the fifth, and neutralized the Hounds hitting through the rest of the game. ENMU could not comeback, as the Cougars beat Eastern 4-1.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Eastern supplied five hits, with one RBI, and three walks.
  • Urquidez contributed two hits and one RBI in the defeat, while Wooley, Bustillos, and Jennifer Gress each posted a hit.
  • Harrison receives the loss (1-3), allowing three runs (two earned) in 1.2 innings pitched. Urquidez lasted two innings from the start, striking out two batters. Jordan Bowman threw 1.1 inning allowing one runs, and Gress tossed one scoreless inning.
  • Samantha Rawlings finished the complete game with one run allowed, from five hits and three walks.

FROM THE SOURCE

“In game two against CCU, we left another seven runners in the scoring position, but were able to put a lot more pressure on their defense with some hard-hit balls and gap shots that couldn’t find a way to fall in” said Fefel. “Our overall mindset and at bats were better throughout the game, and making adjustments in the box to have quality at bats were good to see. Defensively, we moved some people around and used four arms in the circle” said Fefel.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Eastern played Azusa Pacific for the first time in program history.
  • The Hounds faced Colorado Christian for the third time this season, in the third consecutive week.
  • ENMU out hit Colorado Christian, 5-4, despite the score line.
  • The Greyhounds ended its Arizona trip tomorrow, as Eastern will face off against Colorado Mesa University at 9 am.