4/22/2022 | Softball | Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

SILVER CITY, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico softball came away with a pair of wins against Western New Mexico on Friday afternoon at WNMU Softball Field. In game one, Eastern controlled a 9-2 win over the Mustangs. In game two, the Hounds scored three runs in the top of the seventh to beat WNMU 7-6. ENMU improve to 17-27 on the seaosn and 8-18 in conference play. The Mustangs slip to 5-35 overall and 2-24 in LSC action.

GAME ONE: ENMU 9, WNMU 2

The Hounds had to wait until the second inning to score the games first run. Sierra Wooley posted the first hit of the game with a single to left field. After Wooley swiped second base, Edyn Lopez came through with a two-out single into right field, putting the Hounds ahead 1-0.

Azalea Martinez started the second inning with a double to right center and Brook Leger reached on an infield single. After two outs from the Mustangs defense, Wooley cleared the bases with a double to left center and put the Greyhounds ahead, 3-0. Kianna Galindo followed Wooley with two outs, and cleared the fence on a full count pitch to go ahead 5-0 after three innings.

Lopez and Mackenzie Shaw reached base to start the fourth inning, Lopez reached on a walk and Shaw singled to right field. After both runners moved up one base, Leger grounded out to send a run to the plate for a 6-0 advantage. Western New Mexico got on the board in the fifth frame with a two-run home run, cutting the Hounds lead to 6-2.

ENMU returned a run in the sixth inning to go up 7-2 on the Mustangs. Edyn Lopez started the inning with a double, two batters later Martinez traded places with Lopez with an RBI double.

Jokaira Paredes added an insurance run with a solo homerun to left center for an 8-2 advantage. The Hounds added one final run on a pair of hits. Clarissa Marrujo singled with two outs, and Lopez doubled to right center to send the score to 9-2. The hounds closed the game with a 1-2-3 inning for a 9-2 win.

NOTABLE STATS

  • The Greyhounds out hit the Mustangs 13-6, scoring nine runs with nine RBIs. Three different Hounds registered multi-hit games, with eight different batters recording a hit.
  • Lopez and Wooley posted three hits in the game, Lopez going 3-3 with two RBIs and a walk, and Wooley going 3-4 with two RBIs. Martinez collected two hits and Galindo supplied two RBIs in the game.
  • In the circle, Leger tossed 6.1 innings with 10 strikeouts in the contest and two runs allowed in the win. Taylor Harrison recorded the final two outs of the game, facing two batters.
  • Aryana Munoz takes the loss, giving up six runs in 4.0 innings. Julia Vega finished out the game for the Mustangs, throwing 3.0 innings and giving up three runs.

GAME TWO: ENMU 7, WNMU 6

The Greyhounds started the scoring in the first few batters. Two singles put a runner on second with two outs, and Paredes singled to right center to take a 1-0 lead. Eastern posted another run in the fourth inning to go up 2-0. Paredes started the iframe with a single and advanced to second on a groundout. Breanna Loyola brought Paredes home with a two-out single to left center.

However, the home team jumped ahead in the fourth inning with four runs. The Mustangs scored four runs on six hits in the inning. Eastern brought the score back level in the top of the fifth at 4-4. Ashlee Lucero led off the inning with a double, and the Hounds loaded the bases with a reach on error and a walk. Jennifer Gress grounded into a double play but allowed a run to cross the plate. With two outs, Paredes supplied a double sending the tying run to the plate.

Western regained its lead in the sixth inning with an RBI single and a sacrifice fly with one out, 6-4 WNMU. With the Hounds down to their final three outs, Martinez crushed a homerun to left field to make the deficit just one run, 6-5. Maite Bustillosrepresented the game tying run and reached base with a single. After a two out walk from Paredes, Wooley delivered in the big moment with a two-run double as the Hounds jumped ahead 7-6 on their last out.

With the Hounds needing just three outs, Lisette Urquidez (who started the game) re-entered in the circle. After securing the first two outs, WNMU put the game tying run on base after a single, Urquidez induced a flyout to right field as the Hounds capped off a seventh inning comeback, 7-6 over the Mustangs.

NOTABLE STATS

  • ENMU totaled 12 hits in the game, with five hitters posting a base hit. Three different hitters posted multi-hit games and the team accounted for six RBIs.
  • Paredes finished the game 3-3 with two RBIs and a walk. Martinez went 3-4 in with a homerun, and Bustillos posted two hits in two at bats, scoring twice. Wooley came away with two-RBIs, both the game tying and winning RBI.
  • Eastern saw four different pitchers take the circle in the game. Urquidez started the game going 3.0 innings and giving up two runs. Urquidez re-entered the game in the bottom of the seventh, throwing the final inning and claiming the win, totaling 4.0 innings.
  • Harrison faced four batters giving up two runs, and Jennifer Gress tossed 2.1 innings and conceded two runs. Jordan Bowman went 0.2 innings facing three batters and allowing one hit.
  • Vanessa Hunt nearly completed the contest, throwing 6.2 innings in the loss surrendering seven runs on 12 hits. Vega recorded the final out for the Mustangs defense facing one batter.

FROM THE SOURCE

“We saw the ball well in game one, many players had a multiple hit game,” said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. “The lineup was ale to turn over and produce throughout. Brook (Leger) threw a great game keeping their hitters guessing at the plate, and Taylor (Harrison also came in clutch in the bottom of the 7th to get two out with the top of their order in rotation,” said Fefel. “Game two was very exciting win for us. I am beyond proud of how this team doesn’t quit!” said Fefel. We were able to come from behind twice to get it done. The team continued to battle at the plate and get in scoring position,” said Fefel. “The pitching staff did a great job coming in to get quality outs when called upon”.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • In game one, Paredes homered for their first time in their ENMU career, while Galindo posted their third homerun of the campaign. Lopez had a career day at the plate, posting a career best three hits, first career doubles (2), season best two runs scored, and career high two RBIs.
  • Wooley tied a career best three hits in game one.
  • Leger picked up 10 strikeouts in the game, the seventh time this season Leger has posted double digit K’s in a single game.
  • In game two, Paredes posted a season high three hits in a game, and Bustillos tied a season best two hits in the contest. Martinez launched their third homerun of the season.
  • With the sweep, the Hounds have now won 10 consecutive games against the Mustangs. However, Western New Mexico still hold the all-time series 21-31-1.
  • Fefel picked up their 200th career win as a head coach across stints at NJCAA schools and NCAA programs.
  • ENMU continue its road trip, heading to UT Permian Basin for a pair of games on Sunday, Apr. 24. First pitch is slated for 12 p.m. from Odessa, Texas.