4/24/2022 | Softball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

ODESSA, TEXAS – Eastern New Mexico Softball ended up on the wrong end of two close games against UT Permian Basin on Sunday afternoon. In game one, UTPB came away with a 4-1 win, and in game two the Hounds fell just short, 6-4. The Hounds slip to 17-29 on the season, with an 8-20 standing conference play. UTPB improve to 21-28 on the season and 8-20 in LSC action.

GAME ONE: UTPB 4, ENMU 1

The Falcons struck first in the opening inning, scoring the games first run. Following a single and a sacrifice bunt to move the runner to second, a two out single sent the runner to the plate. After two zeros in the second inning, the Greyhounds brought the game back tied at 1-1 in the third. Edyn Lopezstarted the inning with a bunt single, and advanced to second on an Ashlee Lucero walk. Lisette Urquidez stepped in with two outs and delivered an a single to center to bring the contest level.

Eastern ran into trouble in the fifth frame as the Falcons bats were active. Back to back singles started the inning, and a sacrifice bunt pushed both runners into scoring position. The next batter found a double into center field, plating both runs, as the Falcons regained its lead, 3-1. After securing the second out the inning, UTPB picked up another double to plate the third run of the inning.

UT Permian Basin’s pitching gave the Hounds a tough chance to get back into the game with just six outs remaining. Up to this point, Eastern hitters had found three hits and produced one walk. The Hounds picked up one base hit in the final inning, but that was all as UTPB picked up a 4-1 win over the Greyhounds.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Eastern offense produced four hits in the game, with Azalea Martinez, Urquidez, Jennifer Gress, and Lopez all hitting safely. Urquidez found the lone RBI.
  • Brook Leger is handed the loss, going 4.2 innings in the game. Leger posted a line of four runs allowed, three walks, and two strikeouts. Taylor Harrison finished the game, 1.1 innings pitched, with no hits allowed and one walk.
  • Becky Berth threw a complete game in the win for the Falcons. Berth only allowed one run from four hits and one walk, while recording four strikeouts.

GAME TWO: UTPB 6, ENMU 4

UT Permian Basin wasted no time to score the games first runs in the opening frame. Three straight singles brought in the opening runs for the Falcons, 2-0. After the Hounds picked two more outs, a single to right field sent home the third run of the inning for UTPB. The Falcons added a run in the second inning, after a two out double sent a runner on second to the plate for a 4-0 advantage.

The Greyhounds cut into the UTPB lead in the third inning after consecutive hits. Lopez started the inning with a single, and Martinez walked. Sierra Wooley singled to left field to score Lopez and keep two runners on base. After a flyout pushed both runners into scoring position, Jokaira Paredessingled through the left side, sending a run to the plate, 4-2 UTPB. Gress continued the hitting with an RBI single to left center, bringing the Hounds within one run.

However, the Falcons quickly responded with two solo homeruns in the next half inning to go ahead, 6-3. A scoreless fourth and fifth inning followed, but the Hounds manufactured a run in the sixth frame. Gress doubled to left center to get a runner on and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Kianna Galindothen brought Gress home on a groundout, 6-4 UTPB. Mikenzey Patterson kept the inning alive with a triple with two outs, but the Falcons escaped the inning ahead 6-4.

After a 1-2-3 from the Hounds defense, UTPB secured the win after two groundouts and a flyout ended the game 6-4 for UT Permian Basin.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Greyhounds scattered seven hits in the game, with Wooley and Gress finding multiple hits in the game. Four Greyhounds recorded an RBI: Wooley, Paredes, Gress, and Galindo.
  • Eastern had four pitchers enter the circle in the game. Urquidez started the game, giving up five runs on seven hits and taking the loss. Gress threw 0.2 innings, giving up one run. Jordan Bowman tossed 2.0 scoreless innings, and Leger tossed a 1-2-3 inning in the game.
  • Destini Trahan collected the complete game win, allowing seven hits with one strikeout.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Unfortunately, we fell short in both games today due to a lack of timely hitting,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “Our pitching staff continues to work well as a whole when coming in to get quality outs and keeping hitters off balance. Jordan (Bowman) and Taylor (Harrison) did a great job doing this,” said Fefel. “With our last conference series next weekend against WT, we need to refocus and put our attention to that game plan”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • This was the first time both programs met in Odessa, Texas since 2018.
  • Despite the pair of losses, ENMU still hold the all-time series record 24-14 over UTPB.
  • Eastern will have its final home series in its next set of games, against West Texas A&M. The doubleheader will start on Saturday, Apr. 30 at 1 p.m., and game two is set for 3 p.m. Saturday’s game will also serve as Senior Day for ENMU Softball, where the team will recognize its Seniors before game one.