Game Recap: Softball |  | Cameron Brennan

Eastern New Mexico softball began its season at the South Central Regional Classic with a opening day split. First, the Hounds started the season with an 9-3 win over New Mexico Highlands University, then were beaten 13-0 in five innings against Adams State University. Eastern began the season 1-1 after the first day of competition.

GAME ONE: ENMU 9, NMHU 3

After getting out of a bases loaded jam in the 1st inning, the Greyhounds bats came alive in the fourth innings. Jokaira Paredes started with a leadoff walk, then was driven in by Azalea Martinez, who poked a line drive to the left field wall. Martinez swiped third and then came around to score after Lisette Urquidez took off for second following a walk, giving the Hounds a 2-0 advantage.

The next at bat, Kianna Galindo cleared the fence with a drive to left field, doubling the Greyhounds lead, 4-0. After a pitching change, the bats continued as singles from Mackenzie Shaw and Juliana Vidal put runners on the corners. Sierra Wooley doubled to right center, sending Shaw home, 5-0 ENMU.

Then, Maite Bustillos followed with an infield single, plating Vidal. Martinez returned to the plate with the bases load and manufactured a sacrifice fly, sending home another run.

The inning would end with Urquidez singling, scoring Bustillos, as the Hound held a commanding 8-0 advantage. In total, Eastern posted seven hits and produced eight runs in the fourth inning alone.

New Mexico Highlands, jumped on the board in the fifth frame with a pair of double, scoring its first run of the afternoon, 8-1 ENMU. The Hounds found one final run in the seventh after a fielding error, and NMHU found two consolation runs before the end as Eastern took the season opener 9-3 over NMHU.

 NOTABLE STATS

  • Urquidez finished 2-3 at the dish with two runs scored, leading the team.

  • Martinez compiled two RBI’s on one hit and a sacrifice fly. Galindo also finished with two runs batted in. Nine different Greyhounds provided hits, and Eastern manufactured four walks on the afternoon. Eastern supplied six stolen bases on the afternoon.

  • Leger strikeout 15 during the afternoon during the complete game, allowing seven hits and three runs in route to the win.

  • Arianna Rameriz was awarded the loss for the Cowgirls with 3.0+ innings pitched, allowing four earned runs on two hits.

FROM THE SOURCE

“The team executed on in crucial situations on both sides of the ball” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “Brook controlled the Highland hitters very well, throwing a full with a career best 15 strikeouts” said Fefel “We produced throughout our lineup and had some timely pinch hits as well”.

GAME TWO: ASU 13, ENMU 0 (5 INNINGS)

The Hounds found themselves down early after the Grizzles scored 12 runs in the opening inning. Adams State compiled six hits scoring 12 runs, with extra base hits.

Eastern tried to get the bats going but was not able to string the hits together as the game went on.

Adams State added one more run in the second inning, as the Grizzles bested the Hounds 13-0 in five innings.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Mikenzey Patterson, Wooley, Martinez, Taylor Harrison, and Paredes all recorded singles during the contest.

  • Jennifer Gress was given the loss in 0.1 innings of work, allowing four runs on three hits. Urquidez faced six batters allowing six runs on one hit and four walks. Harrison saw 3.2 innings of action, conceding three runs form four hits, with four strikeouts.

  • Taylor Sandoval captured the win in 3.0 innings pitched, while Tayler Duncan tossed two scoreless innings in relief.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Today was a good start to the season, splitting with two very competitive RMAC schools. Their mindset and focus were on point throughout the day” said Fefel.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Leger posted a career high 15 strikeouts in the win over Highlands, surpassing the previous mark of 11 in a 7-5 win over Colorado Mesa (Feb. 4, 2020).

  • Galindo launched their first collegiate home run.

  • Eastern stole six bases against the Cowgirls, tying the 5th most in a single game in program history. Six stolen bases is the most since 2013, when the Hounds swiped nine (program record) against Oklahoma State Pan Handle, on Feb. 27, 2013.

  • Several Greyhounds made their debuts for ENMU: Urquidez, Edyn Lopez, Ashlee Lucero, Wooley, Clarissa Marrujo, Torianna Borunda, Gress, Harrison, and Andraya Alvarado.

  • Additionally, Urquidez and Harrision recorded their first collegiate hits, and Harrision and Gress collected their first collegiate strikeouts.

  • Eastern return to the turf tomorrow, Feb. 6, for a pair of games. First, the Hounds will face Colorado Christian University at 1 p.m., followed by a rematch with New Mexico Highlands at 3:30 p.m.