PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball plays their first home series of the season this weekend against St. Edward's University at Greyhound Softball Field. The three-game set begins on Saturday, Feb. 24, with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The final game of the series is Sunday, Feb. 25, starting at 12 p.m.

TUNE IN

• This weekend's 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. 2/24 G1 ENMU vs SEU | 2/24 G2 ENMU vs SEU | 2/25 G3 ENMU vs SEU
• Eastern New Mexico welcomes the Hilltoppers for their first home series of the season. Admission is free to all ENMU Softball Games.
• Live stats will be available for each contest this week: 2/24 G1 ENMU vs SEU | 2/24 G2 ENMU vs SEU | 2/25 ENMU vs SEU

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

The Greyhounds (10-4, 3-3) picked up their first LSC series victory last time out against Western New Mexico. After dropping the first game of the series (13-5, 5 Inn) Eastern grabbed game two, 12-1, and game three, 12-3 (6 Inn). ENMU hit seven home runs during the series, with Alondra Vasquez leading the way with three and Taighen Whitzel hitting a pair of long balls. Jordan Rivera tossed a complete game allowing one run in the game two win, while Marissa Rodriguez got the win in the circle during 6.0 innings in the series finale.

ENMU sit as one of the top hitting teams in the LSC, leading the conference in runs (123) and RBIs (110). For hits, Eastern is 2^nd with 140 hits, along with a .366 batting average (2^nd in LSC). The Greyhounds have posted 53 extra-base hits, while hitting 14 home runs. In the circle, Eastern hold a 3.93 ERA with 53 runs allowed, 53 strikeouts, and an opposing batting average of .284.
 
Vasquez and Whitzel lead the team and the LSC in offense this season. Whitzel leads the team with a .545 batting average (2^nd in LSC), with 24 hits and 24 RBIs (Leads LSC in both). Vasquez is 5^th in the LSC for batting average (.500), with 18 runs scored (2^nd in LSC), 23 hits (3^rd in LSC), and 22 RBIs (2^nd in LSC). Mikenzney Patterson helps the offense from the leadoff position, with 15 hits and 13 runs scored in eight games. Rivera and Emma Southerland both have four wins this season, with Rivera leading the team in ERA (2.47) and Southerland leading the team in strikeouts (19). Rodriguez has a team high 31.0 IP, holding a 2-2 record.

SCOUTING THE HILLTOPPERS

St. Edward's (4-12, 2-4) come in off a 1-2 series defeat to Oklahoma Christian, taking the second game of the series 8-4. The Hilltoppers dropped the opener of the series, 2-0, while narrowly losing in the finale 4-1 against the Eagles.

With 16 games played this season, SEU have a .220 batting average, scattering 86 hits. The Hilltoppers have pushed 41 runs across the plate, while recording 35 RBIs. Additionally, St. Edward's has 20 extra base hits, while producing 36 walks. The Hilltoppers pitching staff holds a 4.86 ERA, allowing 92 runs on 139 hits and 56 walks. St. Edward's has recorded 74 strikeouts, with six complete games this season during 16 games.

Leading the team in batting average and hits, Arianna Vidales has had a good start to the 2024 campaign with a .356 BA and 16 hits. Sloane Hill has driven in a team best nine runs, while three different individuals have scored six runs this season. For pitching, Cadie Belle Currie leads the team in ERA (3.99), IP (45.2), strikeouts (42), with three complete games. Kylen Padgett has two wins in the circle, striking out 25 hitters with a 4.50 ERA.