PORTALES, N.M. – With one swing of the bat,
Taighen Whitzel lifted Eastern New Mexico Softball over Lubbock Christian, 4-3, with a walk-off home run in the 8
th inning on Tuesday evening at Greyhound Softball Field. The Greyhounds shift to 14-4 on the season (7-3 LSC), while the Chaps drop to 6-8 overall with a 5-5 conference record.
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After
Emma Southerland worked a 1-2-3 inning in the circle to begin the game, the Greyhounds scored the game's first run in the 1
st inning.
Mikenzey Patterson started the game with a walk, then advanced to third on a pair of passed balls.
Samantha Gutierrez later chopped a grounder too short, pushing Patterson to the plate.
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Both teams scored a pair of runs in the 3
rd inning, with LCU using a walk and two two-out singles to take the lead from ENMU, 2-1. However, the Greyhounds used the bottom of the inning to jump back in front of LCU. Patterson walked and
Alondra Vasquez singled to start the inning, while Gutierrez loaded the bases with one out on a hit by pitch.
Aylene Lucero reached on a fielder's choice, sending Patterson to the plate, while Vasquez took advantage of a LCU error to come home and restore a one run lead, 3-2.
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The Chaps threatened in the 6
th, having two runners in scoring position with two outs after a double and a walk. Southerland kept their cool in the circle, striking out pinch hitter Victoria Owens in a nine-pitch at bat. During the 7
th inning, a leadoff walk advanced to third after a sacrifice bunt and a groundout, leaving the tying run 60 feet away for LCU. Then, a clutch single through the left side tied the game at 3-3. After eight consecutive outs between the two teams, Whitzel launched the first pitch of their 8
th inning at bat to win the game for the Greyhounds in walk-off fashion, 4-3.
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NOTABLE STATS
- The teams combined for nine hits, while the Chaps had six and the Greyhounds had three. Two of ENMU's hits were for extra bases.
- Valeria Contreras, Vasquez, and Whitzel all came through with hits, while Guitierrez, Lucero, and Whitzel all picked up an RBI.
- Patterson scored twice with two walks, while Whitzel also grabbed a pair of walks.
- Southerland gets the victory in a complete game effort (8.0 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 4 BB, and 6 K). The Greyhounds starter earned their sixth win in the circle this season, moving to 6-1 overall.
- For the Chaps, Maxine Valdez picks up the loss in 7.1 IP, registering 10 strikeouts, while giving up four walks, and four runs (two earned runs).
FROM THE SOURCE
"I'm extremely proud of this team and how they fought!" said Head ENMU Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. "The team has been fun to watch these past couple weeks. LCU is always a powerhouse, not only in the LSC but regionally, and Emma Southerland handled herself very well in the circle against their hitters," said Fefel. "Taighen Whitzel, what can I say, right person, right time. The work that she puts in is unmatched and it continues to show!" said Fefel.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- The Greyhounds beat Lubbock Christian for the first time in program history, falling in the pervious 42 games against the Chaps. After beating the Chaps, ENMU has claimed a win against 13 current Lone Star Conference programs, with UT Tyler being the only program Eastern have yet to beat in the LSC.
- With the game winning blast, Whitzel hit their league leading 6th home run of the season. This is not the first walk-off for Whitzel, the designated player previously had a walk-off hit during a 3-2 win over Fort Lewis earlier this season (2/9).
- Southerland tossed a career long 8.0 innings with a season best six strikeouts. Earning their sixth win, the Junior has tied their win total from last season, holding a 6-7Â record in 2023.
- Contreras hit their second double of the season, while Patterson scored multiple runs in a game for the seventh time this season.
- Eastern and Lubbock Christian continue the series tomorrow, with a doubleheader scheduled for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. played their first conference series in Portales.
