2_3_SB_FLC_Groves (1)
7
Winner N.M. Highlands NMHU 4-1
2
Eastern N.M. ENMU 4-1
Winner
N.M. Highlands NMHU
4-1
7
Final
2
Eastern N.M. ENMU
4-1
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
N.M. Highlands NMHU 0 0 1 1 1 0 4 7 9 1
Eastern N.M. ENMU 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 6 3

W: M. Milano (1-0) L: Rodriguez, Marissa (0-1)

Game Recap: Softball | | Cameron Brennan

Softball Ends Weekend In Los Lunas

Eastern drop the weekend finale, 7-2, against New Mexico Highlands

LOS LUNAS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball dropped its first game of the season on Sunday afternoon, falling to New Mexico Highlands, 7-2. The Greyhounds finish the weekend 4-1, while New Mexico Highlands have a 4-1 record to start the season.
 
After the opening two innings were scoreless on both sides, New Mexico Highlands began the scoring in the third frame. The Cowgirls struck with two outs, following a field error from the Greyhounds in the third. The next inning, NMHU increased its lead after back-to-back hits to go up 2-0.
 
Trailing 3-0 in the bottom of the sixth, Eastern New Mexico got on the board with two runs in the sixth inning. With two outs, Samantha Gutierrez and Emma Southerland singled to load the bases for pinch hitter Grace Rofii. Rofii made their way on base by punching a ball to right field to score two runs, 3-2 NMHU. However, New Mexico Highlands plated five runs in the top of the seventh and retired the Greyhounds in the bottom of the frame to win 7-2 over ENMU.

NOTABLE STATS

  • Eastern scored a pair of runs from six hits in the game, while NMHU took advantage of three errors along with nine hits to score seven runs.
  • Whitzel produced a pair of hits in the game, while Valeria Contreras, Gutierrez, Judith Osuna, and Southerland all posted a single.
  • Marissa Rodriguez was dealt the defeat, giving up two runs in 4.2 innings with two strikeouts. Jordan Rivera (1.0 IP) and Southerland (1.1 IP) also pitched for the Greyhounds.
  • Maya Milano tossed a complete game in earning the victory. The pitcher recorded five punchouts, giving up two runs on six hits.

FROM THE SOURCE

"I believe our first weekend out was a great start for the team to build off of," said Head ENMU Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. "We have a lot of pieces to our puzzle and I look forward to seeing each of them fall into place at the right time this season. With a quick turnaround, we will head back to the drawing board in preparation for next weekend at WT," said Fefel.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

  • Whitzel finished the weekend with 11 hits, being the only Greyhound to record a hit in all five games. After the opening weekend, Whitzel's 10 hits are tied for first in the LSC, while 11 RBIs is 2nd in the conference (only trails teammate Alondra Vasquez for most RBIs).
  • The Greyhounds now turn their attention to the WT Invitational, where Eastern will play five games over three days. ENMU will face UCCS (twice), Fort Lewis (twice), and CSU-Pueblo. ENMU start the games on Friday, Feb. 9, facing UCCS beginning at 2:45 p.m. (MST), then Fort Lewis at 7:15 p.m. (MST).