The Eastern New Mexico softball team struggled to get the bats going as No. 18 Texas A&M-Commerce handed the Hounds a 10-0 defeat in the series finale on Saturday.
Facing the top pitcher in the Lone Star Conference in Emily Otto, the Greyhounds (10-10, 6-6 LSC) struggled to get runners on-base as Eastern recorded just two hits, a pair of hit-by-pitches, and a walk.
The Hounds got their first hit of the match with a Kayla Marshall double to center field, but the Lions (20-6, 9-3 LSC) managed to erase the threat when Marshall was caught in a rundown between second and third.
Starting pitcher Kimberly Herron got off to a strong start as she fanned a pair of TAMUC hitters in the bottom of the first, stranding a runner to keep the game scoreless.
In the bottom of the second, the Lions were able to put together a big inning, scoring eight runs on a pair of three-run homers and a two-RBI double.
The Hounds had a promising start in the top of the third as Herron and Karina Moreno were each hit by a pitch to leadoff the inning, but were unable to push either across home plate.
Haleigh Behncke tallied the Hounds second hit of the game in the top of the fourth with a two out single, but the Lions were able to keep Eastern from scratching a score.
Commerce added a pair of insurance runs in the fourth inning with a two-run homer to expand the lead to 10-0 to complete the sweep over the Hounds.
Marshall went 1-for-2 with a double while Behncke finished 1-for-1 with her fourth inning single.
Herron took the loss in the circle, falling to 6-6 on the season.
The Hounds will look to get back on-track on Tuesday as Eastern will travel to Las Vegas, N.M. to take on New Mexico Highlands in a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, March 12. The Greyhounds will look to stay undefeated against the Cowgirls as ENMU won 8-0 against NMHU at the St. Mary’s College Classic before recording a program record 29 hits and tying an ENMU record 28 runs in a 28-7 victory on Feb. 11 in Portales.