Game Recap: Softball |  | Cameron Brennan

Eastern New Mexico softball concluded the South Central Region Crossover with a 9-1 win, after five innings, against New Mexico Highlands University. Eastern dropped its first game of the day against Colorado Christian University, 13-9. Eastern finish 2-2 after the first weekend of play.

GAME ONE: CCU 13, ENMU 9

The Hounds jumped out in the first inning with Mikenzey Patterson starting with a bunt single, and two fielder’s choices loaded the bases for the Hounds, brining Lisette Urquidez to the plate. Urquidez fought off a handful of pitches and sent the seventh pitch over the right center fence for a grand slam, giving the Hounds a 4-0 lead with one swing.

However, Colorado Christian replied in the bottom of the inning scoring five runs from five hits. Jennifer Gress came in for relief to get the Hounds out of the first inning, with the Cougars leading 5-4.

The Cougars continued its hot hitting into the second inning, tacking on three more runs in the second frame.

Eastern would threaten in the fourth inning, after two hit-by-pitch’s and a walk to load the bases. With two outs, Sierra Wooley worked a full count walk to push one run to the plate, 8-5 CCU. Azalea Martinez followed with a ground-rule double, hitting the ball on a line to center and bouncing over the fence, 8-7 CCU. With the tying run at third, Urquidez poked an infield single to shortstop and beat out the throw, allowing Wooley score and tie the game at 8-8.

In the bottom of the inning, Colorado Christian would plate three runs, taking back the lead 11-8.

The Greyhounds snag a run back in the sixth inning, bring the score to 11-9 CCU. Wooley began the inning with a lead off single, then stole second. Two batters later, Kianna Galindo lifted a sacrifice fly to right field, sending Wooley home to the plate.

Colorado Christian found two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth, and closed out the seventh with a 1-2-3 inning. The Cougars took the high scoring affair 13-9 over Eastern.

 NOTABLE STATS

  • Urquidez finished the game 2-3 in the game with 5 RBI’s, Jokaira Paredes also had two hits on the afternoon. Wooley scored three times with a hit and two walks.
  • The Hounds finished with eight hits, nine RBI’s, and three walks.
  • Brook Leger takes the loss, throwing two and two-third innings, allowing three runs in relief. The Hounds saw four pitchers’ step in the circle during the game. Jordan Bowman tossed 0.1 from the start, Gress followed with 1.2 innings pitched, and Urquidez was in the circle for 1.1 innings.
  • Samira Roope earned the win for Colorado Christian, with 3.1 innings in relief allowing one run.

FROM THE SOURCE

“I’m proud how the team competed and battled back and forth with CCU” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “CCU is an very established program all around and our team never gave up, putting a lot of pressure on their pitching staff and defense. Our pitch selection was a lot better at the plate, but we just fell short on a few clutch hits at the end of the game” said Fefel. “We will use this game to prepare for when we see them next week in Lubbock”.

GAME TWO: ENMU 9, NMHU 1 (5 INNINGS)

After a scoreless first inning, Bella Mendoza began the second frame with a lead off walk, then Leger singled up the middle. With Mendoza on third, Clarissa Marrujo flied out to center to bring Mendoza across the plate for the first run of the game.

The Cowgirls responded in the top of the third with a run of their own to even the score at 1-1. However, that score would not last long as the Hounds regained the lead in the bottom of the inning. Torianna Borunda started the inning with a walk, then Wooley reach on a bunt single. With one out, Urquidez played long ball and blast a three-run homerun over the left field fence, 4-1 ENMU.

Eastern continued the scoring in the fourth frame. Marrujo doubled to left center, then Jokaira Paredes traded places sending another run home, 5-1 ENMU. After a Borunda walk, Wooley split the gap in left center to empty the bases with a stand-up double, 7-1 ENMU.

The Hounds added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth, and ending the game after five innings. With Patterson on second, Leger tripled into the right center gap. The next batter, Marrujo filed out to right field ending the game after Leger crossed the plate. Eastern finished the game 9-1 winners after five innings.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Wooley and Leger each found two hits during the game. Urquidez led the team with three RBI’s, while Wooley and Marrujo each plated two runs. Both of Marrujo’s RBI’s were from sacrifice flys.
  • The Greyhounds finished with nine runs from seven hits (four extra base hits), totaling nine RBI’s, and three walks.
  • Leger allowed just one run and one hit in route to the win on the mound. In five innings of work, Leger totaled seven strikeouts and conceded only four walks.
  • Paige Varni is dealt the loss for the Cowgirls after 3.1 innings pitched and allowing six runs.

FROM THE SOURCE

“I loved the way we bounced back after a tough loss and idmeditaly got after it” said Fefel. “Our hitters were starting to settle in and have quality at bats. Brook threw another great game, but our defense really stepped up to make some great plays behind her” said Fefel. “Its always great to win the last game of the day, and to do it in walk-off fashion in the bottom of the fifth is even better”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Urquidez collected their first collegiate homerun on the day.
  • Marrujo posted their first collegiate RBI, and first career hit.
  • Leger recorded their first collegiate triple at the plate and first collegiate RBI.
  • The Hounds hold the series advantage over the Cowgirls 33-26, and have won their last five meetings against New Mexico Highlands.
  • ENMU continue its season at the Lubbock Sports College Softball Classic on Feb. 11-13, in Lubbock, Texas. The Hounds will play five games, and start against Fort Lewis College at 1 p.m. at Lubbock Christian High School.