Game Recap: Softball | 3/20/2022 7:00:00 PM | Cameron Brennan

Eastern New Mexico earned its first win in program history over Texas A&M International University, 4-1, on Sunday afternoon at Greyhound Softball Field. The two teams take a series split after the Dustdevils won game one of the day 12-0 in five innings. The Hounds move to 9-19 on the season and 2-10 in conference play. The Dustdevils move to 9-22 on the year with a 3-9 conference standing.

GAME ONE: TAMIU 12, ENMU 0 (5 INN.)

The first runs for Texas A&M International came after a bases loaded walk, and the next batter posted a single to take a 2-0 lead after the first half inning. Maite Bustillos led off the inning with a single to left field, but the Hounds couldn’t move the runner after two pop ups and Bustillos was caught stealing.

The next inning, TAMIU posted five runs after a bases loaded single brought home three runs and a two-run home run. In total, the Dustdevils posted five runs from five hits and recorded a walk. Eastern were held at the dish being retired with five 1-2-3 innings.

TAMIU picked up five more runs after a two-run single put the score at 9-0, and a bases loaded double cleared the bases to make the score 12-0. Eastern were retired in the fifth inning with the Dustdevils taking a 12-0 win in five innings.

NOTABLE STATS

• Bustillos worked the only hit for the Greyhounds, as the Hounds hit into six flyouts and one ground out.
• Lisette Urquidez takes the loss, allowing six runs from five hits in 1.1 innings. Taylor Harrison tossed two innings with four hits and four runs allowed, Jennifer Gress threw 1.2 innings conceding two runs and two hits.
• Darrien Smith gets the complete game win over the Hounds, tossing five scoreless innings with seven strikeouts.

GAME TWO: ENMU 4, TAMIU 1

The Hounds defense started out quickly, after Mackenzie Shaw cut down a runner on the bases after the they took off for second base. Brook Leger allowed the Hounds to escape the first inning untouched after forcing a ground out with two runners on base. Eastern’s bats started from the top as Mikenzey Patterson led off the first inning with single. After Bustillos walked, Urquidez doubled to the opposite field to give the Hounds a 2-0 advantage. Leger laided down a bunt and reached on an error, forcing Urquidez to the plate for a 3-0 advantage. Sierra Wooley singled up the middle to drive home Leger from second and push the Hounds to a 4-0 lead.

From then, both pitchers settled into the game as runs became scarce. Leger after the first inning retired 11 consecutive batters up until the fifth inning, and relief pitcher Sara Papizan allowed just two hits after the first frame for TAMIU. The Dustdevils did break its scoreless game in the fifth inning. With two outs, a triple put a runner in scoring position, then a double down the left field line brought home the run for TAMIU, 4-1 ENMU.

However, that was the last time the Dustdevils had base runners as Leger pitched a 1-2-3 sixth and seventh inning as the Hounds held on to a 4-1 win over TAMIU.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Greyhounds produced four runs from just five hits in the game. Wooley led the team with two hits, while Patterson, Urquidez, and Bustillos each picked up hits.
• Urquidez supplied two RBI’s while Wooley posted one RBI on the afternoon.
• Leger gets the complete game victory, finishing with three strikeouts and forcing 10 groundouts.
• Victoria Gonzalez is dealt the loss, allowing three runs from two hits and a walk. Sara Papizan gave up one unearned run in 6.0 innings of action.

FROM THE SOURCE

“Today was a huge win for the program, seeing that it was the first ever victory against TAMIU,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “I am proud of how the team fought back after the first game of the day to win a close game. Brook (Leger) threw a great three hit game to keep them off balance, while giving our offense a chance to produce,” said Fefel. “Execution in the first inning was crucial for us to get those early runs on the board. The team was very excited to get this conference win under their belt in preparation for our road series next weekend,” said Fefel.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Todays win over the Dustdevils is the first win for the program, the Hounds were 0-9 prior to the win.
• Leger picks up their ninth complete game of the season.
• Eastern ended a 10-game losing skid with the win over the TAMIU.
• Next weekend, the Greyhounds head to nationally ranked St. Mary’s University and St. Edward’s University. The Hounds play the Rattlers on Friday, Mar. 25, and the Hilltoppers on Sunday, Mar. 27.