Game Recap: Softball | | Nicolle Holcomb
PORTALES, N.M. – The Eastern New Mexico softball team finished out its home slate with a doubleheader split against UT Permian Basin on Sunday afternoon. The Greyhounds picked up a 4-3 eight-inning victory in the first game and then dropped the second contest, 13-3. Prior to the start of the first contest, Eastern honored its lone senior, Alejandra Gallegos, for her hard work and dedication to the team this season.
GAME ONE: ENMU 4, UTPB 3 (8 INNINGS)
The visiting Falcons quickly jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on an RBI double from April Arellano and then made it a 2-0 advantage with one more run in the third.
Eastern tied the game up, 2-2, in the bottom of the frame. Maite Bustillos got things started with a double down the left field line before advancing to third on a wild pitch. Aylene Lucero hit a single through the left side to score Bustillos. Lucero later rounded home on a single from Bella Mendoza.
In the top of the sixth inning, UTPB took the lead back on an RBI double from Alicia Marion to make it a 3-2 game.
The Hounds battled back in the bottom of the sixth to once again tie the game. Kianna Galindo drove in the tying run on a sacrifice fly to left field.
Neither team could find the go-ahead run in regulation but in the bottom of the eighth, Eastern quickly got two runners on base after two walks. Alanna Larkins laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance both runners. Galindo hit another sacrifice fly to send the winning run home and secure the 4-3 extra-inning victory.
Offensively, Lucero was a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with one RBI. Mendoza and Larkins both finished 2-for-3. Overall, seven Greyhounds combined for 11 hits throughout the game.
Bustillos got the start in the circle. She allowed six hits and two runs with one strikeout in 3.2 innings. Brook Leger came in for the remainder of the game to earn the win with four hits, one run, and five strikeouts in 4.1 innings.
GAME TWO: UTPB 13, ENMU 3 (6 INNINGS)
UT Permian Basin saw one run score in the first inning on an RBI walk from Lani Graft to once again take an early 1-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth, the Falcons notched four runs on four hits to extend their advantage to 5-0.
UTPB had a huge sixth inning, scoring eight runs to take a 13-0 lead. Leading the way for the Falcons in the frame were Aracely Araiza with a two-RBI double and Abby Hernandez with a three-RBI double.
Eastern tried to battle back in the bottom of the sixth with a three-run homer to center field from Tianna Boone, but it was not enough as the Falcons held on for the 13-3 victory and doubleheader split.
Tianna Boone paced the offense as she went 2-for-3 with three RBI and a home run. Six other Greyhounds registered one hit each throughout the game.
Leger got the start and loss for Eastern. She allowed five hits and one run with two strikeouts in 3.1 innings of work. Azalea Martinez and Tava Boone also saw time in the circle for the Hounds.
Eastern is back in action on Saturday, May 1 for a 4 p.m. doubleheader at No. 12 West Texas A&M.