Game Recap: Softball |  | Cameron Brennan

 Eastern New Mexico softball began its weekend trip to Arizona with one win and one loss in the D2 Cactus Classic. First, the Hounds picked up a win over California University of Pa., 10-2 (6 Inn.). Then, the Greyhounds fell in a 7-3 game against Simon Fraser. Eastern move to 7-4 on the season, while Cal. U. of Pa. fall to 0-1, while SFU improve to 1-0.

GAME ONE: ENMU 10, CAL. U. of Pa. 2 (6 INN.)

Eastern were the first team to put a run on the board. After Maite Bustillos walked and advanced to third after stealing two bases, Azalea Martinez singled up the middle sending Bustillos across the plate. Martinez then stole second and Brook Leger singled to right to score Martinez, 2-0 ENMU.

The Vulcans replied in the next half inning, after a walk and two hit-by-pitches loaded the bases with two outs. California U. of Pa. then capitalized off an Eastern error to score one run. Leger was able to escape the inning with just one run allowed. The Hounds responded with a Kianna Galindo double to lead off the bottom of the second. Bustillos stepped to the plate and singled to left, sending Galindo home from third. However, the Vulcans scored a run in the next half innning, setting the score at 3-2 after three innings.

With the score still at 3-2 ENMU in the bottom of the fifth, Eastern tore open the game. A Lisette Urquidez single, Martinez walk, and Mackenzie Shaw single, loaded the bases with two outs for Jokaira Paredes. Paredes reached on a fielder’s choice pushing one run home, and another run followed after a throwing error from the Vulcans, 5-2 ENMU. Brook Leger then singled, sending Shaw home to the plate for a 6-2 cushion over Cal. U. of Pa.

After a scoreless top of the sixth, the Hounds bats ended the game in the bottom of the inning. The Hounds loaded the bases with no outs, after Galindo and Bustillos each recorded a hit. Urquidez doubled to center, sending two Hounds runners to the plate, 8-2 ENMU. Martinez grounded into force out, but allowed another run to score. Shaw then ended the game with a single, scoring the game ending run 10-2 ENMU.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Eastern recorded 11 hits during the game, with nine RBI’s, and scoring 10 runs.
  • Five Greyhounds registered two hits: Bustillos, Urquidez, Shaw, Leger, and Galindo.
  • Urquidez, Shaw, and Leger all registered two RBI’s.
  • Leger registered their sixth win of the season (6-0), allowing two runs (both unearned), and striking out 11 batters.
  • Caleigh Rister is dealt the loss (0-1), throwing 4.2 innings allowing six runs on seven hits and giving up two walks.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Cal. U. of Pa. was an aggressive team all around and made us play solid defensively,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “We were able to get out of a couple of tight innings that could of went wither way. After settling down at the plate, we were able to regroup and capitalize on their miscues” said Fefel. “Brook (Leger) had to make in game adjustments in the circle, but was still able to keep their hitters off balance”.

GAME TWO: SFU 7, ENMU 3

After the first two innings were scoreless, the Hounds hopped on the scoreboard in the third inning. Alanna Larkins doubled to center, to put a runner in scoring position. Then, Bustillos grounded a ball to right field to send the Hounds ahead 1-0. However, SFU responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning from a three-run homerun, 3-1 SFU.

The Greyhound were held scoreless over the next two innings, and Simon Fraser bolstered there lead 5-1 after five full innings. Eastern did strike back in the sixth frame with two runs. With Urquidez on third after a hit and Martinez on second after a reach on error, Paredes poked a single up the middle to score both runs, Martinez scoring after a Simon Fraser error, 5-3 SFU.

In the bottom of the inning, SFU scored two insurance runs to put the score at 7-3. In the seventh, the Hounds were shutdown, as SFU walked away with a 7-3 win over Eastern.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Eastern tallied six hits on the afternoon, with two RBI’s, and three runs scored.
  • Paredes and Larkins each had two hits during the game, while Paredes and Bustillos were responsible for the runs batted in.
  • Taylor Harrison takes the loss (1-2), allowing three runs from four hits over 2.1 innings pitched. Urquidez tossed 2.2 innings of relief, conceding four runs (two earned) with three strikeouts. Jennifer Gress also saw an inning of work allowing no hits and one walk.
  • Anissa Zacharczuk earned the win (1-0) for Simon Fraser, allowing one run from four hits. Makayla Benz threw 1/3 of a inning, allowing two runs, while Julia Hanson tossed 1.2 scoreless innings.

FROM THE SOURCE

“In game two versus Simon Fraser, Taylor (Harrison) got the start in the circle, keeping their hitters guessing at the plate” said Fefel. “With two additional changes in the pitching rotation we couldn’t shut them down enough to come back. We had runners in scoring position almost every inning, but no big hit came at the right time” said Fefel. “We did a lot of good things on both sides of the ball, and we need to learn from this game so that we can prepare for upcoming conference play”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Eastern is now 3-0 against the Vulcans, with todays win being the largest margin of victory.
  • The Hounds and Simon Fraser are now locked at one win each in the all-time series.
  • Eastern tied a season high for runs (10), RBI’s (9), and hits (11) in the win over Cal. U. of Pa.
  • The Greyhounds continue its weekend with two more games on Saturday. First, ENMU will play Azusa Pacific at 12 pm, then battle Colorado Christian at 4 pm later in the day.