Saturday, February 17, 2018

PORTALES, NM — Freshman third baseman Elena Garcia's two-out, fourth inning single plated the game-winning run for the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (7-5; LSC 2-0) in the opening game of Saturday's Lone Star Conference doubleheader. The Hounds held on for a 2-1 win over Western New Mexico (1-11; LSC 0-2) at Greyhound Softball Field, before cruising to a 9-1 win in the nightcap.

"All the coaches and I are very proud of how the girls played today," said Head Coach Katie Welborn. "They showed up and never let off the gas pedal. Western is a super scrappy team and we know we still have to show up tomorrow. Our pitching was big for us today. Between Leslie and Kim, there was not one earned run. I am incredibly proud of both of those girls! I also am very proud of some young ones showing up today. Jennifer McElroy, what a day she had. Of course, Erikka Burke hitting another homerun is always fun. Big bats mixed with great pitching, helped us beat a great team. Looking forward to tomorrow."

In the Series

• He win moved ENMU to 7-8 at home against WNMU
• The Hounds have won five consecutive games in the series
• The Mustangs hold a 12-30-1 lead in the overall series

Game 2

• Kimberly Herron tossed a one-hit victory for ENMU and fanned six batters
• The Hounds pounded out nine hits and drew four walks
• Erikka Burke tripled, homered and scored two runs
• Garcia homered and scored twice
• Jennifer McElroy batted two-for-three and doubled
• The contest ended after five innings, due to ENMU's eight-run lead

Game 1

• Leslie Reyes allowed no earned runs and fanned four batters to earn the fourth win in her last five appearances
• Western New Mexico sent seven batters to the plate in the first inning, but managed just one run due to two fielders' choice outs by the Greyhound defense
• The Mustangs scored on a bases-loaded walk to Clarissa Moreno
• Karina Moreno led off the ENMU second inning with a single and took third base on a hit from McElroy
• Moreno tied the game on RBI ground out from Kamalani Peneku and also came home with the winning run in the fourth

 
The Long Ball

• Eastern has 12 homers in 12 games this season, with all coming over the last 10 games
• Burke's fifth homer of the season moved her career total to 27, just two shy of Kristen Cruickshank for second on the ENMU career list

Up Next

• The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will wrap up its series against Western New Mexico with a single game on Sunday
• The first pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m. MT