Eastern New Mexico Softball | 02.20.16 | David Norton
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — Much like the first day of the Grand Prairie Tournament, the Eastern New Mexico softball team dropped their first matchup of the day, losing 16-4 to Oklahoma City University, before bouncing back in their second contest and winning against Texas Permian Basin, 8-4.
Head coach Katie Welborn said, "It's always good to bounce back from a loss. In that first game we didn't play how we needed to play. I am proud of them for coming back and winning that second contest after losing the first the way we did."
On the day, three Greyhounds (7-6) hit .500 from the plate, with Natasha Kissell, Mariah Rodriguez and Kyra Sirag all going 2-for-4. Morgan green finished hitting .429 going 3-for-7, while Erika Burke, Kiana Zerr and Marleyna Pinon each hit homeruns.
GAME ONE vs. OCU
Going up against one of the top teams in the nation in the Stars (11-0), ENMU found themselves down 5-0 after the opening inning. The trouble continued to mount, as OCU scored four more runs in the top of the third, followed by three runs in the fourth.
Eastern attempted to make a comeback, scoring four of their own runs in the fourth inning to cut the deficit to only eight. But another four run inning by the Stars in the fifth would end any hopes of a Greyhound win, as OCU went on to run-rule the Hounds 16-4.
Aja Secheslingloff was stuck with the loss after three innings of work, while Zerr and Katie Ripple each pitched one inning in relief. Pinion recorded her only RBIs of the day in the contest, hitting a three-run bomb to center field.
GAME TWO vs UTPB
"After that first game, losing the way we did, we really had a chance to fall apart," said Greyhound graduate assistant coach Colton Sims. "But instead we came together and managed to pull out the W for that second game."
Kissell would get the start for the Greyhounds and despite giving up two runs in the first inning to the Falcons (2-6), she managed to settle down and rolled though the next five innings with ease. She finished the day only allowing four runs and giving up seven hits.
"We rolled over a little from that first game into the second, but after that first inning Nat [Kissell] relaxed and got into a groove, doing what she needed to do for the rest," said Welborn.
Kissell, who recorded her second win, said, "I think Kyra and I went in to the game knowing what would work and what wouldn't. We just really focused on getting ahead in the count early and after Kyra settled me down a little after that first inning, it just became an easy ballgame."
After falling down 2-0 to the Falcons, the Hounds scored two of their own runs in the second inning off a Zerr homerun. The fourth inning saw the Greyhounds put up a staggering five runs off five hits and one defensive error to take the 7-2 lead.
"That's what we are capable of every time," said Welborn of the offensive inning. "Just always being able to hit like that and I think they really showed that in the second outing."
After scoring one final run in the bottom of the sixth, UTPB made a valiant comeback effort, scoring two runs off four hits. Secheslingloff would come in to earn the save, getting a Falcon batter to fly out then striking out the final at bat, leaving two runners stranded.
Audrey Velasquez and Burke finished the game with two RBIs each, while Zerr led all players with three. In addition to getting the win from the circle, Kissell had one hit for an RBI as well.
Eastern will return to action Sunday with a matchup with Oklahoma Panhandle. ENMU has faced the Aggies twice already this season, winning both contests (11-6 and 13-2). The first pitch is scheduled for 9 a.m. (MT).
