PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball begins the 2024 season in their home state, traveling to the South-Central Region Softball Crossover in Los Lunas, N.M., hosted by Western New Mexico, this weekend. The tournament will feature 10 different programs, playing in 25 games total, with ENMU having five matchups. First, the Greyhounds play CSU-Pueblo (3 p.m.) and UCCS (5:30 p.m.) on Friday, Feb. 2, to begin the season. The next day, ENMU play another doubleheader facing Fort Lewis (3 p.m.) and Adams State (5:30 p.m.), Saturday, Feb. 3. Eastern end the weekend against New Mexico Highlands on Sunday, Feb. 4, at 11:30 a.m.

TUNE IN

• This weekends games will be covered on the LSC Digital Network. The LSC Digital Network will now offer a single game pass for $15, a monthly pass for $30, and a yearly pass for $140. 2/2 ENMU vs CSU-P | 2/2 ENMU vs UCCS | 2/3 ENMU vs FLC | 2/3 ENMU vs ADSU | 2/4 ENMU vs NMHU
• Eastern New Mexico will play their opening weekend games at the Los Lunas Sports Complex (751 Juan Perea Rd, Los Lunas, NM 87031) and Daniel Fernandez Park (Approx. ¼ mile north of Los Lunas Sports Complex). ENMU will play their games on Friday and Saturday at the Los Lunas Sports Complex, while the weekend finale will be played at Daniel Fernandez Park. General admission for games held at Los Lunas is $10 for single day access. Cash and credit/debit cards will be accepted.
• Live stats will be available for each contest this week: 2/2 ENMU vs CSU-P | 2/2 ENMU vs UCCS | 2/3 ENMU vs FLC | 2/3 ENMU vs ADSU | 2/4 ENMU vs NMHU

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

Eastern come into the season off the back of a successful 2023, sporting a 26-30 record (17-25 LSC) and qualifying for the LSC Postseason Tournament for the first time in two decades. ENMU was picked to finish 11^th in the LSC Preseason Poll, with Mikenzey Patterson and Marissa Rodriguez being recognized as LSC Preseason Players to Watch. The 2023 Greyhounds held a .267 batting average, while posting an ERA of 3.71. Patterson returns to the Greyhounds lineup after leading the team with a .390 batting average, 60 hits, and 44 runs scored.

SCOUTING THE THUNDERWOLVES

The Thunderwolves completed their 2023 slate with a 21-30 record, along with a 16-26 record in conference play. Coming into the season, Colorado State-Pueblo was selected to finish 7^th in the 2024 RMAC Preseason Poll. CSU-P brought back first year standout Caitlyn Cole, with Cole leading the team with a .400 batting average, 60 hits, 14 homeruns, and 43 RBIs in 2023. The Thunderwolves also return their two top arms in the circle: Jacelynn Trujillo (4.50 ERA) and Lucy Carney (5.79 ERA).

SCOUTING THE MOUNTAIN LIONS

UCCS has had several changes to the program going into the 2024 campaign, with head coach Dwight Sanders coming over from conference rival Fort Lewis. Sanders begins his UCCS career with a young roster, just nine upperclassmen, but retained a handful of key members from the season prior. Autumn Kunze was the team's best arm in 2023, holding a record of 4-8 with a 4.27 ERA. In the batter's box, Lexi Wagner sported a .263 batting average with 40 hits playing in every game for UCCS. The Mountain Lions were picked to finish 6^th in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS

During the 2023 season, Fort Lewis completed the season with a 23-26 overall standing, and a 21-21 mark in RMAC action. Paige Adair takes on their first season leading the Skyhawks, after being an assistant coach in 2023 for FLC. Adair returns top hitter Alex Tenorio, leading Fort Lewis with a .377 batting average and 60 hits. In the circle, Amiee Shanks looks to build off a fruitful 2023 after leading the Skyhawks with a 3.44 ERA and earning 16 wins. FLC were projected to finish T-9^th in the RMAC Preseason Poll.

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES

Head coach Dane Craig begins his second season leading the Grizzlies, after guiding Adams State to an 11-40 record in 2023 with a 8-32 RMAC standing. This season, ADSU landed T-11^th in the RMAC Preseason Poll earning 18 points in the poll. Craig will rely heavily on a pair of seniors: Belina Vargas and Mariah Madrid. Vargas posted a .300 batting average in 45 games with the Grizzlies, scoring a team best 22 runs, along with 36 hits, and 22 RBI's. Madrid played in 49 of the Grizzlies 51 games in 2023, producing 35 hits and a team best 20 walks.

SCOUTING THE COWGIRLS

The Cowgirls closed out last season with a 20-31 standing while holding a 16-27 RMAC record. Prior to this season, New Mexico Highlands was projected to finish T-9^th along side Fort Lewis in the 2023 RMAC Preseason Poll. Ashley Forshee benefits from the return of their top-two hitters and top-two arms in the circle. Arianna Ramierz fit both those categories, posting a .329 batting average with 34 RBI's while holding an 11-14 record and 5.03 ERA in the circle. Maya Milano returns back after being the teams leader in ERA (4.93), while Samantha Gamboa was the programs best hitter in 2023 with a .342 batting average and team high 51 hits.