Game Recap: Softball | | Nicolle Holcomb
PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico softball team hosted Western New Mexico on Friday afternoon at the Greyhound Softball Field. The Hounds picked up a doubleheader sweep over the Mustangs with a 6-1 win in the first game and an 8-7 victory in the second.
GAME ONE: ENMU 6, WNMU 1
Western New Mexico took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning on an RBI double from Samantha Corral.
The Greyhounds responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame to gain the 2-1 advantage. Tianna Boone was credited with a sacrifice fly on the first run, while Mikenzey Patterson sent home the second with an RBI single through the right side.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Eastern tallied four runs. Aylene Lucero blasted a three-run homer to center field while Bella Mendoza had an RBI single up the middle to make it a 6-1 game.
Offensively, Patterson led the way as she went 3-for-3 at the plate. Lucero, Mendoza, Alanna Larkins, and Azalea Martinez each had two hits. Overall, seven Greyhound student-athletes combined for 13 hits throughout the game.
Maite Bustillos pitched a complete game to earn the win in the circle. She allowed eight hits and one run while striking out one batter.
GAME TWO: ENMU 8, WNMU 7
Once again, the Mustangs jumped out to an early lead. They tallied one run in the top of the first inning.
Eastern scored four runs in the bottom of the frame to take the 4-1 advantage. Lucero had an RBI double while Larkins hit a two-RBI single through the left side.
WNMU got one run back in the top of the second to cut the deficit to 4-2.
Both teams continued to battle, matching each other in runs throughout the third and fourth innings which gave the Greyhound a slight 8-5 lead.
The Mustangs continued to battle, making it an 8-7 game in the top of the fifth inning after RBI singles from both Cecilia Jurado and Eliza Ortiz.
The Greyhound defense stood strong through the rest of the game to secure the 8-7 victory and doubleheader sweep.
Lucero lead the way offensively as she went 3-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Martinez, Larkins, Patterson, Bailey Johnson, and Juliana Vidal all recorded one hit.
Brook Leger earned the complete game win in the circle. She allowed nine hits, seven runs (four earned), and two walks while striking out four batters.
Eastern is back at Greyhound Softball Field on Sunday for an 11 a.m. doubleheader against UT Permian Basin.