PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico softball is gearing up for a three day, six game, tournament in Lubbock, Texas.
LAST WEEK
The Greyhounds are currently 1-0 after a 2-1 win against the New Mexico Highlands last weekend. The Hounds were ahead 20-11 in the second game of the double-header before the umpires called it due to the lack of sunlight in the fourth inning.
FRESHMAN DEBUTS
Freshman pitcher Brook Leger took the circle for the first five innings of game one recording six strike-outs while allowing one Cowgirl to reach second base on just four hits. Leger finished with a 1.40 ERA. Following three innings of work for Leger, fellow freshman Jordan Bowman took over in the circle and allowed just two hits the remainder of the game.
Both Hound runs came from freshman as infielder Kianna Galindo scored the first run of her Greyhound career and the first run of the 2020 season for the Hounds in the second inning. Galindo, a native of Arizona, finished the day going 1-for-3 and scored a single run. Roswell, N.M. native, Mikenzey Patterson, scored the second run for the Hounds after coming on to pinch run for Galindo in the fourth inning.
HOUND SENIORS IN ACTION
Leading the Hounds offensively was none other than senior Elysa Rodriguez. The second baseman tallied four hits on the afternoon and also scored a run. Returning senior Samantha Brockman and Jokaira Paredes also had a successful 2020 debut. Paredes recorded one run and three hits, while Brockman was active on both offense and defense recording four hits and four put-outs.
THIS WEEK
The Hounds will compete against Division II schools, playing two games a day during the three-day tournament.
Friday, Feb. 7th
vs Nebraska-Kearney
Starting off the tournament play, the Hounds will match up against Nebraska-Kearney, which will also be the first time in program history the two schools have played against each other. A member of the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), UNK finished the 2019 season 20-24 overall, and 12-14 in conference. Starting off their season against the Hounds, the UNK also bring in first year head coach Katie Ackerman with the majority of its 2019 roster returning.
vs CSU-Pueblo
The Hounds are 3-7 when playing against CSU-Pueblo and will match up against the ThunderWolves for a Friday, Feb. 7th afternoon game. The Pack qualified for the RMAC tournament last season, but lost 5-0 to MSU-Denver in the opening round of the tournament, ending their season 14-30 overall and 13-25 in conference play. The ThunderWolves return with six-year head coach Christie Koschke and five seniors, including pitcher Hannah Anderson. Anderson finished her junior year with the Pack starting in eight games while appearing in 23 total contests, ending the 2019 season with a 4.06 ERA in 70.2 innings.
Saturday, Feb. 8th
vs Southern Nazarene
The Hounds have only faced Southwest Nazarene twice in school history, winning both contests. The Crimson Storm will start their 2020 season this weekend at the Lubbock Tournament after finishing the 2019 season 25-30 overall after falling in the first round of the Great American Conference Championship (GAC). Returning infielder, Cailtyn Curlee is a force when up to bat for the Thunder Cats. The sophomore recorded 170 at bats and 14 home runs for the 2019 season.
vs Newman
The Neman Jets will be starting off their 2020 season as a member of the MIAA after competing in the Heartland Conference in previous years. The Hounds took a double-header win over the Jets back in 2015 in Canyon, Texas. After finishing 8-22 in conference, the Jets did not see action in the last Heartland Conference Tournament. This year, the Jets will bring in first year head coach Andrea Gustafson. Gustafson will have the help of Lacy Colvin, who posted a .352 batting average and finished her junior year with 159 at bats and seven home runs.
Sunday, Feb. 9th
vs University of Colorado at Colorado Springs
Sunday play will start with a matchup against the Mountain Lions. The Hounds are 3-9 against the Lions with their last match up back in 2014 resulting in a double-header loss. The Mountain Lions lost in the third round of the RMAC championship tournament finishing their season 28-26 overall last year. Sophomore pitcher Braelyne Crenshaw will return to the circle after finishing the 2019 season with a 4.62 ERA after starting in 13 of 33 appearances, a total of 106 innings pitched, and struck out 49 batters.
vs Chadron State College
The Hounds will finish the tournament against Chadron State College for the second meeting in school history. Third year head coach, Kaley Ness, has led the program to school history posting the Eagles best defensive season in 2017 and their best pitching season in 2018. The Eagles return with sophomore pitcher Cassidy Horn, who finished her freshman year with a 6.19 ERA in 25 appearances and 11 starts. The Eagles also return sophomore Bailey Marvel who led the Eagles with 169 at bats and 67 hits.
