PORTALES, NM - Eastern New Mexico softball is gearing up for their first home series of the 2020 season. The Hounds will open up regular season Lone Star Conference play with a Friday, March 6th double-header against UT Permian Basin before finishing the weekend with a Sunday, March 8th double-header against Western New Mexico. 

EARLIER THIS SEASON
The Greyhounds started out the 2020 season with back to back tournaments to get their feet wet. Competing in two game of the Lubbock Tournament the Greyhounds finished 1-1 after a 10-7 win over CSU-Pubelo. Packing their bags again, Eastern New Mexico traveled to Arizona for the Cactus Classic and finished 3-3. The Hounds started the first day of Cactus Classic play with two wins under their belt including a 7-5 victory over Colorado Mesa University. Returning to Lubbock, TX. the Hounds matched up against Lone Star Conference teams to test their abilities. 

HITTING HOME RUNS & RECORDS
Freshman Azalea Martinez currently leads the Greyhounds with four home runs after recording three against UT Permian Basin last month. Martinez hit her first home run in the bottom of the second with Adriana Carbajal on base taking the Hounds to a 4-1 lead. Martinez recorded her second home run in the fourth, sending herself around the bases and did it again in the fifth. 

Martinez has not only tied for first place in program history, after recording three home runs in a single game, but is the first Greyhound in 14 years to do so. The freshman's impressive hitting has also added the 2020 Greyhounds to the record book as the team is tied for first in program history with four home runs in a single game against UT Permian Basin. Martinez, an Albuquerque native, has appeared in ten games, and is leading the Greyhounds with a batting average of .400, four home runs and nine RBI's. 

NEW TO THE CIRCLE
New names and new faces have taken the circle for Greyhound softball. Four freshman along with one junior transfer fill the pitching roster. Leading the Hounds is freshman Brook Leger who has pitched 22.0 innings this season with her best performance in the Hounds 7-5 win over Colorado Mesa at the Cactus Classic. Leger pitched all eight innings recording 11 strikeouts, five runs while only allowing one double. 

Jordan Bowman, a left-handed freshman, has pitched 25.1 innings this season and appeared in eight games. With 35 hits, Bowman has recorded eight strikeouts and has an ERA of 3.59.  Tava Boone has taken the circle for 19.0 innings recording a win over Cal U (PA) at the Cactus Classic. Boone stepped onto the field for the final three 
innings and only allowed two hits in 11 at-bats. Rounding out the Greyhound pitching roster is junior transfer Sierra Rodriguez and freshman Lauren Avalos.

LEADING THE PACK
Senior Elysa Rodriguez continues to be a vital asset to the Greyhounds when up to bat. The senior is posting a batting average of .364 and leads the Hounds with 44 at-bats, 16 hits, and 12 runs. Rodriguez recorded a triple in the Hounds first game of the season at New Mexico Highlands, and is only one of two Greyhounds to hit a triple this season. 

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
UT Permian Basin
The Falcons started off conference play with a double-header loss to Tarleton State. UTPB rested up and returned to the field to take a double-header win over Midwestern State. UTPB has recorded 18 stolen bases this season with freshman Leslie Martinez leading the team succeeding in all four attempts. The Falons junior pitcher, Marissa Salinas, is not only a strong player inside the circle but also up to bat. Salinas has started in 11 games and pitched 64.2 innings for the Falcons. The Lubbock, TX native has only allowed 14 doubles in 278 at bats and 86 hits. Stepping up to the plate herself, the junior leads the Falcons with five home runs, 21 hits, 19 RBI's, 60 at bats, and is second on the team with a batting average of .350 

Western New Mexico 
Sitting 9-8 overall the Mustangs are 2-2 in the conference after taking a double-header win over Midwestern State last month. Returning to the field after a 7-6 win over MSU, the Mustangs scored eight runs in the first inning to give them the leg up for a double-header sweep. The Mustangs are led by junior Alizia Habitzreuther who has appeared in all 17 games and is posting a team high .440 batting average. Habitzreuther has stepped up to the plate 50 times this season hitting three home runs and recording ten RBI's. 

The Greyhounds will match up against UT Permian Basin on Friday, March 6th for a 3:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. double header. The Hounds will return to the field starting at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, March 8th for another double-header against Western New Mexico. As always, ENMU softball games are free to the public.