LUBBOCK, TEXAS – Eastern New Mexico softball began its time at the Lubbock Sports College Softball Classic (LSCSC) with a perfect 2-0 record on the day. In game one, Brook Leger found a career best 18 K's as the Hounds won 7-0 over Fort Lewis College. Then, the Greyhounds picked up a 10-6 win over Northwestern Oklahoma State University to end a perfect night. Both games were played at Lubbock Christian High School. Eastern move to 4-2 overall, while Fort Lewis slip to 0-1, and Northwestern Oklahoma State fall to 1-1 on the season.
 

GAME ONE: ENMU 7, FLC 0

After two scoreless innings, ENMU scored in the third frame. After Lisette Urquidez walked and Brook Leger singled, Mackenzie Shaw stepped to the plate with two runners in scoring positions. Shaw poked a single into left field to score the game's first run, 1-0 ENMU.
 
Jokaira Paredes followed with a single of her own to score Leger, for the games second run. Ashlee Lucero continued the trend with a single to second base, loading the bases. The Hounds benefited from a Fort Lewis fielding error to score its third run of the inning, 3-0 ENMU.
 
With Leger on the mound throwing a phenomenal game, Eastern put the bats to work in the sixth inning. A hit by pitch, and back to back singles loaded the bases for the Hounds with two outs. With Leger at the plate, the Hounds took advantage of a misplayed ball in right field to score three runs. The error pushed all the Greyhound runners' home, and left Leger standing on third with a controlling 6-0 advantage.
 
The Hounds added one more run before it was said and done, with Clarissa Marrujo doubling to left field and scoring the runner from second base. Leger closed the door with a 1-2-3 inning to finish the game 7-0.

 NOTABLE STATS

• Urquidez, Paredes, Shaw, and As. Lucero each collected two hits on the game. Kianna Galindo, Leger, and Marrujo all had one hit.
• Shaw, Paredes, and Marrujo all grabbed RBI's, while Urquidez scored two runs.
• Leger recorded 18 punchouts during the complete game shutout, allowing just one hit and two walks during the contest.
• Hallie Mann is dealt the loss for the Skyhawks, with 5.2 innings pitched, allowing five runs (two earned) on eight hits.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Brook (Leger) threw a phenomenal game lasting all seven innings with 18 strikeouts," said Head Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. "She had great control of the zone and kept Fort Lewis off balance. Defensively, we made some great plays behind her and had some clutch hits in scoring positions" said Fefel. "Clarissa (Marrujo) had a great pinch hit at bat in the seventh, and I love having several options coming off the bench".

GAME TWO: ENMU 10, NOSU 6

The Hounds found themselves behind in the first inning as Northwestern Oklahoma scored four runs in the first inning to establish a lead. Eastern picked up two runs in the next half inning as a Sierra Wooley fielder's choice plated the first run for the Hounds. Then, Urquidez singled through the left side to score another run, 4-2 NOSU.
 
ENMU were contained until the fifth inning, as the Hounds brought home eight runs to take a 10-2 advantage. First, Marrujo singled into right field with two runners on the bases to tie the game at 4-4. With the bases loaded, Galindo reached base on an error by the Rangers shortstop and two runs came across to score.
 
Two more errors from the Rangers handed the Hounds another two runs, pushing the score to 8-4. A fielder's choice from Azalea Martinez plated the Greyhounds ninth run, then Wooley came around to score on a double steal. Eastern put up eight runs in the fifth inning, from two hits, two walks, and two hits by pitches, 10-4 ENMU.
 
NOSU responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the inning. The Rangers used a pair of singles to get runners on base, and single up the middle brought both runners home, 10-6 ENMU. The Greyhounds escaped the fifth inning after only conceding two runs, and allowed just one base runner in the final two frames. Eastern took home the 10-6 win over NOSU.

NOTABLE STATS

• Paredes recorded two hits and two scored runs during the contest. Urquidez, Martinez, and Marrujo each tallied a hit.
• Wooley, Urquidez, Martinez, and Marrujo all found one RBI during the game, while nine different Greyhounds scored during the game.
• Taylor Harrison claimed the win in relief, throwing 3.1 innings, allowing two runs from four hits with one strikeout. Jennifer Gress was the games starting pitcher with one inning and four earned runs. Leger finished the game with 2.2 innings pitched, notching five punchouts in a scoreless appearance.
• Allison Zanca was handed the loss, allowing five runs on no hits in their lone inning.

FROM THE SOURCE

"Northwestern Oklahoma State were aggressive at the plate early in the game, putting a lot of pressure on our pitchers and defense. We had a huge fifth inning at the plate scoring eight runs," said Fefel. "Taylor (Harrison) did a tremendous job coming in after the first inning to keep them off balance. We went back to Brook (Leger) to close things out late in the game. The girls stayed focused and fought all game" said Fefel.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Leger surpassed a career best for strikeouts with 18, beating the previous mark of 14 set last week against New Mexico Highlands University (2/5/22).
• The 18 K's from Leger stands 2^nd all-time for an ENMU single-game record, just short of the mark of 19 strikeouts by Jennifer Harrer in Mar. 2001.
• Harrison recorded their first collegiate win of their Greyhound career.
• As. Lucero picked up their first career hits with the Greyhounds.
• Eastern marked a season high 11 hits during its game versus Fort Lewis College.
• The Greyhounds return to the field tomorrow for a pair of games. First, ENMU will tangle with Colorado Christian University at 11 a.m. (MST), then the Hounds will battle Chadron State College at 5 p.m. (MST). Both games will be played at PlainsCapital Park on the campus of Lubbock Christian University.