Friday, February 12, 2016

CANYON, TEXAS — Aja Secheslingloff tossed a three-hitter with seven strike outs and no walks, but the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (2-1) dropped a 2-0 heartbreaker to Metro State (3-3). The contest was the Greyhounds' first in the WT Invitational, at Buffalo Sports Park #2.

The contest was the second between the programs. The only other meeting came on February 15, 2014, and was an 8-3 loss.

Eastern pounded out six singles and was led by a two-for-three performance from shortstop Susannah Chandler. The Hounds mounted their biggest threat in the bottom of the fifth inning, when Chandler and Simone Laurenz led off with back-to-back base hits. MSU pitcher Hayley Fields retired the next three to escape the jam. Secheslingloff did not allow a baserunner through the first three innings.

The Roadrunners capitalized on a leadoff double from Fields and a one-out sacrifice fly, to take a 1-0 lead in the fourth inning. Metro plated an insurance run in the sixth frame.

Fields went the distance for Metro State and scattered six hits with five strikeouts. Neither pitcher allowed a walk in the game. Kyra Sirag, Audrey Velasquez, and Morgan Green also had base hits for Eastern.

The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will continue play at the WT Invitational tomorrow morning against Fort Lewis. The first pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m. MT.