4/1/2022 | Softball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball dropped a pair of Lone Star Conference contests to #22 Oklahoma Christian University, 7-2 and 8-2, on Friday afternoon at Greyhound Softball field. Eastern move to 10-24 on the season, with a 3-15 conference standing. The Eagles improve to 26-8, along with a 14-4 record in LSC play.

GAME ONE: OC 7, ENMU 2

The Eagles quickly brought the game to life with three runs in the first inning of action. A leadoff single brought put a base runner on, then two tough plays resulted in two runs to score. Then a sacrifice fly brought the game to 3-0 after the first inning. Oklahoma Christian added a run in the third for a 4-0 lead.

The Greyhound hitter were making connect on the ball, but the OC defense was making tough plays to get the outs. OC turned to double play in the second inning along with a few hard lineouts in the first four innings. Oklahoma Christian picked up another run in the fourth for a 5-0 advantage.

Eastern jumped on the board in the fourth inning with consecutive hits. Brook Leger started with a single up the middle, with a runner on first, then Sierra Wooley also sprayed a single up the middle for load the bases. Jokaira Paredes came through with a single of their own, plating the first Hounds run of the game. Alanna Larkins then manufactured a run with a ground out to make the score 5-2 Eagles. However, those were the final runs of the inning for the Hounds.

A two-run homer put two more runs on the board for the Eagles, as the Hounds fell in game one 7-2.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Both teams picked up five hits during the game. With the Hounds picking up two RBIs.
  • Wooley led ENMU with two hits, while Paredes and Larkins both provided an RBI.
  • Leger takes the loss in the circle, giving up four runs (one run earned) from two hits with three strikeouts. Taylor Harrison tossed four innings, allowing three runs from three hits.
  • Kali Crandall picks up the win for Oklahoma Christian, after a complete game effort with six strikeouts and giving up two runs from five hits.

GAME TWO: OC 8, ENMU 1

Like game one, Oklahoma Christian picked up runs in the first frame. A leadoff single turned into the games first run after a single to left field scored the runner from third. OC added one more run in the first with some heads-up base running. The Eagles came back for more runs in the third inning, a two-run homer boasting the score to 4-0.

Eastern did connect for a run in third inning. After Larkins and Mackenzie Shaw both reached base, Maite Bustillos moved both runners into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Azalea Martinezstepped to the plate and singled through the left side to score the Larkins from third base. ENMU looked to add more runs in the inning, but a great defensive play by the Eagles first baseman robbed Lisette Urquidez of a base hit, 4-1 OC.

However, Eastern was held in the remainder of the contest producing one hit in the final four frame. Oklahoma Christian picked up three runs in the fourth and one run in the sixth to take game two by a score of 8-1.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Hounds scattered three hits during the game, coming from the bats of Leger, Martinez, and Wooley.
  • Leger is dealt the loss, throwing 2.1 innings, and being charged four runs (three earned runs) off five hits. Urquidez tossed one full inning, surrendering three runs on four hits. Jordan Bowman delivered 3.2 innings in the circle with four strikeouts and one run allowed.
  • Grace Anderson collected the complete game victory, giving up one run on three hits.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Today was a tough day for us at the plate and Oklahoma Christian had our number,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “We need to be more aggressive early in us at bats and turn the lineup over. In the circle, Taylor (Harrison) and Jordan (Bowman)did a great job coming in and keeping them off balance,” said Fefel. “We need to clean some things up defensively and prepare for Sunday’s games against Cameron”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Bowman recorded a career high four strikeouts in the contest.
  • The Eagles hold the all-time series lead 12-4 over the Greyhounds. This was just the fourth time that these two teams played each other as conference opponents.
  • This was the first time both teams faced each other in Portales since 2017.
  • The Hounds return to the field Sunday, Apr. 3, for a doubleheader against Cameron University. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 12 pm.