Game Recap: Softball |  | Cameron Brennan

 

 Eastern New Mexico softball used an eight run sixth inning to push past University of Colorado-Colorado Springs, 8-5, on Sunday morning at PlainsCapital Park. Eastern now hold a 6-3 record, and the Mountain Lions fall to 2-3.

Maite Bustillos began the Hounds hitting with a standup double in the 1st inning. Eastern had runners on the corners with two outs, but a flyout ended the 1st frame. The Mountain Lions struck first with a solo homerun in the 2nd inning, taking a 1-0 lead.

Pitching from both teams were the story of the first four innings, with only five hits being allowed. UCCS pushed its lead to 2-0 after a wild pitch brought a Mountain Lions runner home.

The Hounds put pressure on the Mountain Lions pitching in the 5th inning. After leadoff hits from Kianna Galindo and Mikenzey Patterson, Lisette Urquidez walked to load the bases with two outs. However, UC-Colorado Springs escaped with no damage as a groundout ended the inning, 2-0 UCCS after five full innings.

UCCS extended its lead in the top of the sixth after back to back doubles, 3-0 UCCS. However, the Greyhounds jumped on the board in the next half inning. After a walk, then a single from Jokaira Paredes, Brook Leger singled to the shortstop and the Hounds base runner scored. The next batter, Galindo sent a hard-hit ball down the third base line sending Paredes home, 3-2 UCCS.

The inning continued with the bases loaded and no outs for Bella Mendoza. Mendoza produced a walk, pushing the tying run to the plate, 3-3. Jennifer Gress entered the batter’s box as a pinch hitter, and pushed the leading run home after a fielder’s choice, 4-3 ENMU. Urquidez and Martinez each singled, scoring two more runs for Eastern. Leger brought in a run on a hit by pitch and Galindo walked ending the scoring at 8-3. Eastern scored eight runs in the sixth inning on five hits.

UC-Colorado Springs plated two runs in the bottom of the inning, but the Hounds held on for an 8-5 win over UCCS.

 NOTABLE STATS

  • The Greyhounds posted nine hits, scoring all eight runs in the sixth inning. Eastern took seven walks and batted in seven RBI’s.
  • Galindo and Patterson produced two hits, while Galindo brought home two runs.
  • Gress, Urquidez, Martinez, Leger, and Mendoza all recorded an RBI.
  • Leger continues a dominate season at 5-0, going seven innings, recording eight strikeouts, and being charged five runs.
  • Gabrielle Cronin takes the loss letting up seven runs, in 1.1 innings of work.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Early in the game we struggled to find the zone at the plate and started to chase out of our game plan,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “Although we had runners on base every inning, we couldn’t find a timely hit to push one across. We made all the right plays defensively, to keep the game close at the end” said Fefel. “Things started to click in the sixth inning, from one batter to the next we produced an eight-run rally. It’s good to see the girls come from behind, it shows their grit early in the season to get the job done” said Fefel.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • The Hounds bested UC-Colorado Springs for the first time since 1999, in a 6-4 win on 2/13/1999. The Mountain Lions still hold the all-time series lead, 6-4, over Eastern.
  • Gress picked up their first career RBI during the game.
  • Eastern will take part in its final tournament of the season next weekend at the D2 Cactus Classic. The Hounds are scheduled to play five games over three days in Tucson, Ariz.