WICHITA FALLS, Texas – Down by one-run heading into the final inning, Eastern New Mexico got a one out double. However, the late game threat did not advance the game into the bottom half of the frame and gave Midwestern State the 3-2 victory.
The story of the game was runners left on base. ENMU stranded eight and MSU had six of their own.
Brook Leger got the start for Eastern as she only threw 0.1 innings of work one day prior. The senior only allowed a walk over the opening two frames and kept the contest scoreless heading into the third.
That is when the Mustangs threw the first punch in Friday's matchup.
The frame started with a nine-pitch walk and a double to right field. With two runners in scoring position, the next batter reached on a fielding error at second base to score one run and put runners on the corners.
ENMU caught the runner on first as she attempted to steal second to get the first out of the frame. Leger worked a five-pitch strikeout setting up Eastern with a pair of outs.
MSU wasn't fazed as the home side hit a first-pitch deep shot over the left field wall and the Mustangs took a 3-0 lead.
The Greyhounds were able to cut into the deficit in the fourth inning.
Valeria Contreras got things going for her team with a chopping base hit to the pitcher. A wild pitch moved her into scoring position and setup a single by Leger up the middle.
To avoid the force out at second, the Hounds sent Leger to steal second. As Midwestern State's catcher attempted to throw out the senior pitcher, Contreras took home and scored the first run of the afternoon for ENMU. The shortstop's throw back home was a little off and allowed Leger to find herself 60 feet away from home.
Katelyn Cifuentes drove-in Leger with a hit to the left side and got her team within one run.
ENMU's fourth inning rally came short as
Madison Begaye reached on a fielder's choice. The speedy freshman was able to get to third base on a wild pitch and a steal, but
Mikenzey Patterson was unable to reach base safely as MSU's pitcher threw her out at first within milliseconds.
The bottom of the fourth saw
Taylor Harrison come in for Leger. The sophomore pitcher had a great outing in relief as she only allowed one hit and a walk over three innings. Harrison posted two strikeouts over 51 thrown pitches.
The Hounds did get a runner on over the next three innings, but Eastern New Mexico could not find a way to comeback from the three-run deficit.
"Taylor (Harrison did a great job coming in and keeping their offense silent. Our defense needs to be solid behind a ground ball pitcher and make routine outs," said head coach
Amanda Fefel after the game. "You cannot let a team get extra outs when we are not producing at the plate."
Eastern outhit the home side, 7-3, but four errors by four different infielders proved to be a difference in the contest. MSU only committed two errors on the day.
Six different players earned hits for ENMU with Contreras recording a pair. Contreras, Leger, and Begaye each earned stolen bases.
"With a short turnaround again, we need to prepare for a tough and crucial series against TWU. In the LSC rankings we are neck and neck and the head-to-head series is going to be important to pull out," said Fefel. "We have to fight here on out to handle our own postseason opportunity. These next couple of practices are going to be important to clean some things up and get back to grinding for 21 outs."
The Greyhounds will look ahead to Tuesday and Wednesday as they welcome Texas Woman's to Portales for a three-game set. The Pioneers will be at Greyhound Softball Field for a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. MT Tuesday afternoon and a 12 p.m. MT first pitch slated for Wednesday.
