PORTALES, NM —Freshman left fielder Jennifer McElroy pounded out three hits with a double, homer and four runs batted in during Thursday’s Lone Star Conference doubleheader at Greyhound Softball Field. Early on, the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (15-21; LSC 8-12) traded runs in both games, but ninth-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce (30-3; LSC 15-2) pulled away for 12-5 and 13-5 wins.

The Long Ball
In 36 games, ENMU has 35 homers
The Hounds currently have their fifth-most homers in a season and are one away from tying for fourth most (2007)

Game 1
The Lions sent seven batters to the plate in the top of the first inning and scored a pair of runs to take the lead
ENMU answered with a RBI double from McElroy, who later scored the game-tying run
After a scoreless second, A&M-Commerce struck for four runs in the third frame
Eastern capitalized on a Karina Moreno double and an error in the fourth inning and closed within 6-3
The Lions plated three runs during an eight-batter rally in thee fifth
McElroy responded with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to pull ENMU to within 9-5
The homer was her fourth of the season
Texas A&M-Commerce pulled away for the 12-5 win
McElroy batted 2-for-3 in the game

Game 2
ENMU had eight hits in the nightcap, which included two from pitcher Leslie Reyes
Trailing 5-1 the top of the second, ENMU exploded to tie the game
With three base hits and three walks, the Hounds plated runs in the second on a RBI single from Precious Aguirre and a bases-loaded walk to McElroy
Erikka Burke drew a career-record tying seventh intentional walk to set up McElroy’s RBI walk
ENMU loaded the bases in the third on leadoff walks to Ashley Lopez and Moreno, which was immediately followed by a single from Reyes
With one out, Parker Smith hit a ground ball, which allowed Lopez to score the tying run
The Lions plated five runs in the fourth inning, with most of the damage coming on a Jodie Hill grand slam
Texas A&M-Commerce pulled away and the game ended after ENMU’s at bat in the fifth inning
McElroy extended her hit streak to five games

Up Next
The teams will conclude their series with a single game on Friday
First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT