PORTALES, NM – Eastern New Mexico softball opened up conference play going 1-1 against UT Permian Basin in a double-header home series.
Trailing by three in the bottom of the sixth the Greyhounds went to work scoring three runs after a home run from
Jennifer McElroy with Jokaria Paredes on third. The Hounds took to the seventh inning with two more home runs starting with senior
Elysa Rodriguez sending herself and
Lauren Avalos across home plate. McElroy hit her second of the night ending the inning and bringing the first game to a close with a Greyhound win.
Returning for game two of the double-header, the Greyhounds swapped out pitchers bringing in junior
Sierra Rodriguez to the circle. The Hounds started out the second game with a first inning run for a 1-0 lead. Both teams struck out in the second inning but the Falcons were not ready to give up. UTPB tallied two runs in the third a fourth inning home run, and another home plate touch in the fifth for a 4-1 lead over the Hounds.
In the top of the fifth with McElroy on first,
Adriana Carabajal homered to center field bringing the Hounds within one of the Falcons. Stepping into the circle for the Hounds, freshman
Tava Boone left the Falcons dry in the sixth not allowing a hit. With a chance to tie the game in the seventh, the Hounds struggled to reach first base resulting in a 4-3 loss to the Falcons.
Jennifer McElroy recorded five RBI's in game one after posting two home runs. Senior
Elysa Rodriguez recorded eight at-bats, five hits between the two contests.
Jordan Bowman, freshman pitcher, recorded eight hits, four runs and one strikeout in 18 at-bats. Junior
Sierra Rodriguez only allowed six hits and four runs in the five innings pitched in game two. Rodriguez was matched with 19 batters striking out five.
The Greyhounds will return to the field for a double-header against Western New Mexico tomorrow, Saturday, March 7
th starting at 1:00 p.m. This game was previously scheduled for Sunday, March 8
th but moved due to weather concerns.
