Tuesday, March 7, 2017

PORTALES, NM — Freshman third baseman Adriana Carabajal batted .429 for the Eastern New Mexico University softball team over Tuesday's doubleheader, with a triple, homer, and three runs batted in. Oklahoma Christian (14-9) overcame her standout performance to hand the Greyhounds (13-16) setback of 7-3 and 12-7, at Greyhound Softball Field.

The doubleheader marked the first time ENMU hosted the Eagles in the eight-game series. Oklahoma Christian has won all three meetings this season. Eastern's 13 victories remain just one behind last season's total. Cameron Conrad has reached base safely in 14 straight games, while Erikka Burke extended her streak to 11 games.

Game 2
The nightcap saw Oklahoma Christian charge to a five-run lead over the Greyhounds. After Haley Squire drove a three-run blast in the Eagle fourth inning, it appeared that OC could close out the game on the eight-run rule.

The Hounds answered with a Katie Ripple pinch-hit homer in the bottom of the inning. The blast was her first since last year's season finale at Tarleton State. Ripple's last round-tripper at home came against Texas Woman's on April 15, 2016.

The hit set the stage for a dramatic rally in the fifth, which saw the Hounds bat around and take a 7-6 lead on Kamalani Peneku's double down the left-field line. Carabajal had a two-run triple during the rally, while Kylee Keller had a game-tying RBI single.

Oklahoma Christian plated two runs in the sixth inning to take the lead, and four more in the top of the seventh.

Burke, Carabajal, and Keller each had two base hits for the Hounds. Kayle Upton was the Eagle's third pitcher in the game and picked up the win in relief, and allowed two run on four hits over 1.2 innings.

Game 1
Sheridan Bond led off the opener with a solo homer to center, and Upton follow with a two-out, three-run blast to give the Eagles a 4-0 lead they would not relinquish. Burke drove in the Hounds' first run of the game with a RBI single. Eastern managed to bring the tying run to the plate during the inning, but was unable to further cut into the deficit.

OC plated three runs over the fourth and fifth innings to seize a 7-1 lead, but Eastern answered in the bottom of the fifth. Courtney Vigil drew a leadoff walk, followed by a single to left field from Ashley Lopez to set the stage. A ground ball from Burke plated pinch-runner Precious Aguirre, and a two-out single from Samantha Brockman brought Lopez home, to pull ENMU within 7-3. Oklahoma Christian reliever Madison Nordyke allowed just one baserunner on a walk over the final two innings to finish the game.

Brockman had two hits for the Hounds, while Peneku and Carabajal had one each. Kaylee Rogers fanned five batters. Madison Haygood scattered seven hits over five innings to earn the win for OC, while Bond batted three-for-four.

Up Next
The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will open a Lone Star Conference series against 17^th-ranked Angelo State, on Friday. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled to begin at noon MST.