LAS VEGAS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico softball started off its season with a double header against New Mexico Highlands Saturday afternoon.

The Greyhounds impressed in their 2020 season debut taking a 2-1 win in game one and were leading 20-11 through the first three innings in game two before the game was called due to a lack of sunlight. 12 different Hounds crossed home plate as the High Plains squad recorded 23 hits in 55 at bats for an .418 batting average on the day.

Leading the way offensively was second baseman Elysa Rodriguez who tallied four hits, 3 RBIs, two runs, a double and a triple in eight trips to the plate. Catcher Andrea Cline added three hits with two runs, two doubles and an RBI while third baseman Kianna Galindo went 3-for-5 at the dish with a double and two-run homerun.

Freshman pitcher Brook Leger started in the circle in the first five innings of game one recording six strike-outs while allowing one Cowgirl to touch second base on just four hits. The Albuquerque native totaled 11 strike-outs and tossed 6.2 innings throughout the day.

Galindo would put the Hounds on the scoreboard with a run in the top of the second and doubled to right center to start the fourth before center fielder Mikenzey Patterson came in as a pinch runner. Paterson plated the game-winning run two batters later off a sacrifice bunt from freshman Mackenzie Shaw. Switching out pitchers, freshman Jordan Bowman took over in the circle for the last three innings of game one recording one strike-out and allowing two hits.

Back onto the field for game two of the double-header Rodriguez easily singled to left field. With the bases loaded Shaw hit another to left field as Rodriguez and Cline both scored.

In the top of the second, infielder Jokaira Paredes set her feet ready to swing and sent a shot right up the middle allowing outfielder Jennifer McElroy to cruise into home. The Hounds finished the inning scoring seven runs taking a 13-3 led as they took the field for defense.

The Hounds added another seven runs in the third as Parker Smith singled advancing to second by a catcher's error and driving Paredes home. The Hounds last score of the day came from infielder Alanna Larkins after right fielder Adriana Carabajal singled up the middle with the bases loaded.

The Greyhounds will travel to Lubbock Texas next week for a three day tournament starting on Friday, February 7^th.