PORTALES, N.M. – For the fifth time this season, it took extra innings to decide a winner for Eastern New Mexico softball. An Edyn Lopez ninth-inning walkoff homer to center field clinched a 4-3 decision in favor of the Greyhounds. In game two, Texas A&M International and ENMU battled in a tight 2-1 game with the Dustdevils holding the final advantage.

Game 1
Starting pitcher Brook Leger got off to a quick start putting down the first six batters she faced. Her efforts in the circle early in the game allowed the Hounds to gain an early run advantage.

In the bottom of the first inning, ENMU loaded the bases courtesy of a pair of singles from Mikenzey Patterson and Alondra Vasquez along with Azalea Martinez getting hit by a pitch between the two at-bats.

After a seven-pitch strikeout, a Jennifer Gress walk allowed the Hounds to put the first run on the board. Valeria Contreras drove-in another run on a single to left field and gave the team a 2-0 advantage heading into the next inning.

TAMIU got two runners on base courtesy of a pair of singles in the third inning, however they left them stranded after Leger forced a fly out and fielder's choice to hold off any potential score for Texas A&M International.

The Dustdevils tied the game in the fourth inning with a deep two-RBI shot over the right field wall. The homer was the team's fifth of the season.

TAMIU took a 3-2 lead in the fifth and held that advantage until the last possible chance in regulation.

Edyn Lopez began the bottom half of the frame reaching second base after a crucial error by the Dustdevils. Then, the Hounds went down on strikes two-straight times and forced a last chance opportunity for the Hounds.

Mikenzey Patterson hit a ball towards second base with two outs and beat out a throw to first base. Lopez on third base was given enough time to score the equalizer and send the contest into extras.

After two scoring opportunities in extra innings for TAMIU, Edyn Lopez proved to be the difference maker for Eastern again.

The Los Lunas, N.M. native went deep with her first homer of the season giving ENMU the 4-3 victory over the Dustdevils. The win marked the second in program history over Texas A&M International.

"Brook (Leger) threw a great game throughout extra innings allowing our offense to produce," said head coach Amanda Fefel after the game.

The senior ace went 9.0 innings for the third time this season – all conference games.

She allowed three runs on ten hits and struckout seven hitters on 149 pitches. Leger also got her ninth victory of the season to improve her season mark at 9-3.

"Edyn Lopez had two critical at-bats that both tied the game and won the game for us," said Fefel on Lopez's efforts offensively. "She was locked in at the plate and was able to come in clutch at the right time."

Patterson led the team with two hits and four Hounds finished with a hit in the game.

Game 2
Both programs played in a low-scoring contest in the day's second game.

This time, Texas A&M International pulled off the 2-1 victory to decide the series in tomorrow's game.

TAMIU swung at the first pitch of the game and got a leadoff single to begin the battle. A sacrifice bunt along with a pair of errors allowed both runners to get into scoring position.

The team earned an out with a routine play at short stop and a sac-fly to center field and Texas A&M International took its first lead. The Dustdevils added another run, 2-1, from a throwing error at short stop.

In the third inning, Katelyn Cifuentes connected on a homerun and Eastern was just trailing 2-1 at this point.

"Delia Smith had another great outing in the circle with a three hit, 64 pitch game," said head coach Amanda Fefel on the junior. "Our defense fell short in the first inning registering three errors and allowing two runs."

Smith only allowed three hits and she only needed 64 pitches to get the job done.

Only two players had base hits in game two for ENMU – Mikenzey Patterson and Katelyn Cifuentes.

"We have to be able to flip a switch from game one and come into game two with momentum," said Fefel after the game. "Offensively we need to get back to having an approach and swinging at strikes that we can handle."

The two programs will be back on the field tomorrow at 12 p.m. MT to decide the series winner. The game will be livestreamed on the Lone Star Conference Digital Network.