PORTALES, NM —Freshman left fielder
Jennifer McElroy pounded out three hits with a double, homer and four runs batted in during Thursday's Lone Star Conference doubleheader at Greyhound Softball Field. Early on, the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (15-21; LSC 8-12) traded runs in both games, but ninth-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce (30-3; LSC 15-2) pulled away for 12-5 and 13-5 wins.
The Long Ball
- In 36 games, ENMU has 35 homers
- The Hounds currently have their fifth-most homers in a season and are one away from tying for fourth most (2007)
Game 1
- The Lions sent seven batters to the plate in the top of the first inning and scored a pair of runs to take the lead
- ENMU answered with a RBI double from McElroy, who later scored the game-tying run
- After a scoreless second, A&M-Commerce struck for four runs in the third frame
- Eastern capitalized on a Karina Moreno double and an error in the fourth inning and closed within 6-3
- The Lions plated three runs during an eight-batter rally in thee fifth
- McElroy responded with a two-run homer in the bottom of the inning to pull ENMU to within 9-5
- The homer was her fourth of the season
- Texas A&M-Commerce pulled away for the 12-5 win
- McElroy batted 2-for-3 in the game
Game 2
- ENMU had eight hits in the nightcap, which included two from pitcher Leslie Reyes
- Trailing 5-1 the top of the second, ENMU exploded to tie the game
- With three base hits and three walks, the Hounds plated runs in the second on a RBI single from Precious Aguirre and a bases-loaded walk to McElroy
- Erikka Burke drew a career-record tying seventh intentional walk to set up McElroy's RBI walk
- ENMU loaded the bases in the third on leadoff walks to Ashley Lopez and Moreno, which was immediately followed by a single from Reyes
- With one out, Parker Smith hit a ground ball, which allowed Lopez to score the tying run
- The Lions plated five runs in the fourth inning, with most of the damage coming on a Jodie Hill grand slam
- Texas A&M-Commerce pulled away and the game ended after ENMU's at bat in the fifth inning
- McElroy extended her hit streak to five games
Up Next
- The teams will conclude their series with a single game on Friday
- First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. MT
