Friday, February 13, 2015
LAS VEGAS, NEV. — The Eastern New Mexico University softball team (3-2) faced a six-run deficit in the bottom of the seventh inning, but came one base runner away from sending the game-tying run into the on-deck circle of Friday night's game against St. Edwards University, at the Desert Stinger Tournament. The Hilltoppers held on for an 8-3 win over ENMU at Majestic Park.
Elizabeth Velasquez (Sr., LF, Las Cruces, N.M./Las Cruces HS) paced the Zias at the plate with a three-for-three performance with a homerun.
The contest was the first between the teams since they split a doubleheader in Portales on March 2, 2013, with the Hilltoppers winning the opener 8-4 and the Zias taking the nightcap by an 8-5 margin. Today's game was the 11
th meeting between the teams.
Elizabeth Velasquez snapped a scoreless tie in the bottom of the third inning, when her drive to left center field cleared the wall for the tenth homer of her career. The Hilltoppers responded with a five-run fourth and tacked on single runs in the fifth and seventh innings for a 7-1 advantage.
Eastern had six batters step to the plate in the bottom of the seventh, with
Elizabeth Velasquez's leadoff single starting the rally. One out later,
Marleyna Piñon (Jr., RF, Rio Rancho, N.M./Volcano Vista HS) reached on an error, which gave the Zias first and third base. With two outs, sophomore infielder
Audrey Velasquez (Las Cruces, N.M./Las Cruces HS) reached on an error which allowed
Elizabeth Velasquez to score. Piñon came home with the final run of the game on a passed ball.
Amanda Martinez (Sr., CF, Williamstown, N.J./Williamstown HS/El Paso CC) has hit safely in all five games this season. Sarah Debrow earned the win in the circle for St. Edwards and allowed one earned run on six hits with 11 strikeouts.
The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will continue play in the Desert Stinger Tournament on Saturday. The first opponent of the day will be Fort Lewis College at 12:30 p.m. MT.
