Eastern New Mexico Softball | 02.19.16 | David Norton
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — The Eastern New Mexico softball team split their doubleheader Friday, taking a 6-2 loss to Lubbock Christian before returning to beat Texas Wesleyan in seven innings, 8-7.
GAME ONE vs. LCU
In the first inning the Chaps (12-5) jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, but a resilient Greyhound (6-5) squad would come back to tie the score at 2 apiece in the top of the third inning off a Morgan Green double to centerfield.
Unfortunately for ENMU, LCU would not only immediately regain the lead in the bottom of the inning, but their pitching and defense would go on to allow only one more hit and no runs for the remainder of the game.
Head coach Katie Welborn said, "I don't think we played as well as we could have in that game. Our infield played well, but our outfield needed to do a little better. We should compete with that team at the least, but with the errors we made on defense we are not going to be able to."
Aja Secheslingoff pitched all six innings of the contest, allowing six earned runs off nine hits while striking out six batters. Some unfortunate defensive missteps didn't help her cause, with the sophomore ace otherwise pitching very well.
"Aja has done a phenomenal job the entire season so far," said Welborn. "We are really proud of her and once we get the defense to back her up a little more, she will be even better."
GAME TWO vs. TWU
The second contest of the afternoon started exactly as the first, with Wesleyan (3-7) jumping out to a quick 2-0 lead over the Hounds. The difference came in the second inning with ENMU put up four runs, namely due to a Katie Ripple three run homer with two outs already on the board.
Kiana Zerr would get the start for the Hounds, pitching a scoreless second inning after giving up two in the first. Disaster would strike in the top of the third however, as the Rams would put up four runs of their own and take a commanding 6-2 lead.
Zerr wasn't out of the fight though, regaining her composure to give up only one more unearned run over the next four innings. Her pitching, combined with an improved Greyhound defense, was enough to give the offense a chance to take back the lead.
"I think towards the end our team started getting us back in it offensively and I felt like if they have my back from the plate, I need to help cover them on defense," said Zerr. "I thought we did a great job of leaving that first game in the past and just came out strong for our second matchup."
Marleyna Pinon was instrumental in the Hound's win, not only driving in a run in the bottom of the third but also giving ENMU their final lead of the game in the bottom of the fifth off a two-run double to centerfield. Pinon finished the contest going 3-of-3 from the plate in addition to her three RBIs.
"Hitting in general was better for us in the second game, with Pinon, Ripple and Velasquez (Audrey Velasquez) all coming up big for us," said Welborn. "Ripple wasn't on the field, but came in and hit that three run homer early – play like that was something we were missing in the first game today."
The Hounds return to action Saturday with another double header. First up will be Oklahoma City University scheduled for 11 a.m. (MT), followed by UT-Permian Basin after the conclusion of game one.
