PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico softball head east this weekend for a pair of doubleheaders in Lone Star Conference play. First, the Hounds play St. Mary's University, who received votes in the most recent national poll, on Friday, Mar. 25, starting at 3 pm. Then, the Greyhounds head to Austin, Texas to play St. Edward's University on Sunday, Mar. 27, with first pitch set for 11 am. The national rankings are based on the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.

LAST TIME OUT

Eastern recently went 1-3 in its last weekend, picking up a win against Texas A&M International, but falling once to TAMIU and twice to Texas A&M-Kingsville. Brook Leger tossed a complete game during the Hounds 4-1 win over Texas A&M-International, allowing one run and surrendering just three hits.

SCOUTING THE HOUNDS

After Sunday's win, Eastern hold a 9-19 record overall and a 2-10 standing in conference play. On the season, the Hounds hold a batting average of .234, scoring 105 runs from 150 hits. ENMU has driven in 88 RBI's and have a .939 fielding percentage. The Greyhounds pitching staff has an earned run average of 6.54 and has posted 179 strikeouts.
 
Lisette Urquidez is the top hitter for the Hounds, leading the team in batting average (.410), runs scored (16), hits (32), RBIs (29), and doubles (8). Azalea Martinez and Jokaira Paredes are next on the team with a .286 batting average and .278 batting average, respectively. Leger is the Hounds leading pitcher, with an ERA of 3.22 and 133 strikeouts.
 
In the nation, Leger is 10^th for strikeouts (133) and strikeouts per game (10.5). Leger also is the conference leader in both those statistics. Urquidez also stands out in the conference hitting statistics, placing 13^th in the LSC for RBIs with 29.

SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS

(RV) St. Mary's University

St. Mary's University enter the weekend with a record of 24-7 with an 8-4 LSC record, following a 1-3 weekend. The Rattlers dropped out of the top-25 poll for the first time this season, but still received 10 votes in the most recent NFCA poll. The Rattlers lost a pair of games to Oklahoma Christian and split with Cameron University.

Overall, the St. Mary's offense produces a batting average of .295 along with 163 runs on 255 hits. StMU hold an on-base percentage of .377 and a slugging percentage of .410. The St. Mary's pitching staff has a ERA of 2.41, conceding 88 runs with 125 strikeouts.

Jayne Johns holds a team high .417 batting average, with 35 hits and a team high 22 RBIs. Victoria Aldridge has a team high in hits (36) and has scored 23 runs this season. In the circle, Catalina Cavazos sports a record of 12-1 with a 1.74 ERA, while Savannah Youngblood has a record of 9-2 and a 2.35 ERA.
 
St. Edward's University

On the season, the Hilltoppers have a 12-14 standing and a 3-9 record in LSC action. Recently, St. Edwards captured one win in against Cameron University, after falling to Cameron and getting swept by Oklahoma Christian. SEU will play West Texas A&M on Friday, Mar. 25, before facing the Hounds.

Collectively, St. Edward's hold a .294 batting average, scoring 111 runs, with 207 hits, and driving in 97 RBI's. The Hilltoppers pitching staff have 3.58 ERA, allowing only 101 runs on 163 hits.

Leading the offensive charge, Genisa Marrero-Carter has a .407 batting average, with a team best 37 hits and 19 runs. Megan Morris and Kaylee McQullian are just behind in batting average with .373 and .354, respectively. Alexis Massie is the team leader in RBIs with 14.