This weekend, Eastern New Mexico softball travel to play two conference doubleheaders against nationally ranked opponents. First, the Greyhounds take on #18 Angelo State University on Saturday, Mar. 12, with first pitch scheduled for 12 pm (MST) and 2:30 (MST). Then, Eastern travel to #15 Lubbock Christian University on Monday, Mar. 14, with games scheduled for 12 pm and 2 pm (MST). The national rankings are based on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.

LAST TIME OUT

The Hounds captured victory in its home opener against #23 Texas A&M-Commerce, 8-5, to open its weekend. The rest of the weekend, Texas A&M-Commerce took game two 9-1, and #1 UT Tyler picked up wins, 6-3 and 11-0 (5 Inn.), to close the conference opening weekend. Azalea Martinez finished the weekend 7-11 at the plate with a double and homerun.

SCOUTING THE HOUNDS

ENMU currently stand at 8-12 this season, with a 1-3 conference record after the first weekend. Collectively, the team holds a .263 batting average, scoring 90 runs from 126 hits, and posting 76 RBI’s. The Hounds’ pitching staff has an ERA of 5.74, conceding 115 runs, allowing 152 hits, and posting 143 strikeouts.

Lisette Urquidez has the top batting average for the Greyhounds at .431, while Jokaira Paredes is next at .333. Urquidez paces Eastern in both hits and RBIs with 25 of each. Martinez is next on the team with 15 hits and 10 RBI’s. Brook Leger is the top twirler for ENMU, posting a 2.83 ERA with 111 strikeouts and a record of 7-5. Urquidez has the next best ERA at 7.50 with 12 strikeouts.

Statistically speaking, Urquidez ranks in the top 10 in the LSC for RBI’s (25, 7^th) and slugging percentage (.810, 7^th). Leger is the conference leader for strikeouts (111) and strikeouts per seven innings (11.7). Among the nation, Leger ranks fourth in Division II in strikeouts and strikeouts per seven innings.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

#18 Angelo State University

Recently, ASU dropped three games in the opening weekend of conference play, falling in two contests to Cameron University and splitting with #18 Oklahoma Christian. Overall, the Rambelles hold a record of 16-4 and had been on a 14-game win streak before last weekend.

As a group, Angelo State have a batting average of .322, scoring 145 runs with 167 hits and 129 RBI’s. In the conference, ASU has is 3^rd in the conference for on-base percentage at .426. In the circle, the Rambelles have an ERA of 2.67 and have given up just 58 runs this season. ASU pitchers have delivered 94 strikeouts and hold opposing hitters to a .250 batting average.

Paxton Scheurer and Ashlynn Box lead the team with a .433 and .436 batting average, respectively. Scheurer leads the team in nearly every category: hits (27), homeruns (9), RBI’s (34), and slugging percentage (.984). Genesis Armendariz leads the team with an 8-3 record in nine starts, and an ERA of 2.23. Torrey Hogan is not far behind with a 6-1 standing with an ERA of 3.18.

#15 Lubbock Christian University

The Chaparrals enter the weekend with an 18-game winning streak, the second longest active streak in Division II with a 18-2 record and 4-0 in conference play. LCU will face #6 West Texas A&M University before playing the Hounds on Monday. Lubbock Christian collected sweeps against Cameron University and #18 Oklahoma Christian prior to this weekend.

In the batter’s box, LCU has a .349 batting with 158 runs, 197 hits and 133 RBI’s. The Lady Chaps average, 7.9 runs per game landing second in the LSC and 10^th in all of Division II. In defense, LCU pitchers hold an ERA of 2.42 with 69 runs allowed and 126 strikeouts.

At the plate, Tyla Lee leads all LCU hitters with a .516 batting average, 33 hits, and 26 RBI’s. Angela Donaldson and Skylar Herrera are next in the hit’s category with 23 base hits. Taylor Franco is the standout of the Lady Chaps pitching staff, with a 10-0 record and an ERA of 1.76.