PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball plays its final weekend non-conference tournament at the WT Invitational. The tournament features 14 games over three days between six programs, with Eastern playing five games. First, the Greyhounds play UCCS (2:45 p.m. MST) and Fort Lewis (7:15 p.m. MST) on Friday, Feb. 9. The next day, ENMU face another doubleheader against CSU-Pueblo (10:15 a.m. MST) and UCCS (5 p.m. MST), on Saturday, Feb. 10. Eastern wrap up the weekend against Fort Lewis on Sunday, Feb. 11, at 10:15 a.m. (MST).
TUNE IN
SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDSÂ
The Greyhounds had a fantastic start after going 4-1 in their opening weekend. ENMU claimed wins over CSU-Pueblo, 15-8, UCCS, 11-3 (5 Inn.), Fort Lewis, 8-0 (5 Inn.), and Adams State, 19-1 (5 Inn.).
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On offense, ENMU scored 55 runs (2
nd most in LSC) with a batting average of .380 (2
nd best in LSC). The Greyhounds lead the Lone Star Conference with 50 RBIs in their first five games, while their 15 stolen bases are first in the conference. The Greyhounds pitching has an ERA of 3.86 following its first five games, while picking up 20 strikeouts.
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Taighen Whitzel had an electric start to the 2024 season, registering 11 hits and 11 RBIs, scoring six runs with a .733 batting average.
Alondra Vasquez leads the conference and team with 12 RBIs, while
Aylene Lucero leads the conference in runs scored (13) and stolen bases (7).
Jordan Rivera has a team low 1.40 ERA, while
Emma Southerland has a record of 2-0 and a team high 10 strikeouts.
SCOUTING THE MOUNTAIN LIONS
During the opening weekend, the Mountain Lions logged a 2-2 record with wins over UT Permian Basin (7-1) and Simon Fraser (7-4). In the first matchup against the Greyhounds, ENMU came away with 11-3 victory in five innings.
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As a team, UCCS has a .281 batting average, scoring 17 runs on 27 hits with 16 RBIs. In the circle, the Mountain Lions have allowed 31 runs in four games to hold an 8.58 ERA. The UC-Colorado Springs pitching staff has 16 strikeouts this season, giving up 41 hits during the opening weekend.
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Hailey Busshart leads the Mountain Lions in the batter's box, sporting a .556 batting average, scoring four runs with five hits, five RBIs, and a pair of homeruns. Izzy Giroux (.400 BA) and Jennavieve Goldsworth (.333 BA) each are key hitters in the UCCS lineup. Autumn Kunze is responsible for both wins in the circle for UCCS, with a 2.50 ERA over 14.0 innings pitching two complete games.
SCOUTING THE SKYHAWKS
Fort Lewis started and ended last weekend with wins, beating UT Permian Basin in their season opener (14-2), then knocking off #4 West Texas A&M, 5-2, in their final game of the weekend (2-3 overall record). When facing the Greyhounds, Fort Lewis struggled in the batter's box producing just one hit in an 8-0 defeat (5 Inn.).
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As a team, the Skyhawks have a .315 batting average, scoring 26 runs, with 35 hits and 22 RBIs. FLC have only stolen two bases this season, producing 25 walks. Defensively, Fort Lewis has an ERA of 6.83 over the opening set of games allowing 28 runs (27 earned runs) on 46 hits allowed.
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Kayla Stone and Alex Tenorio started the season well, each providing six hits and scoring five runs. Stone paces the team for RBIs (five), along with Catheryn Rodman who also has five runs batted in. Amiee Shanks has a record of 2-1 in the circle with three complete games for the Skyhawks over 18.1 innings pitched (3.05 ERA).
SCOUTING THE THUNDERWOLVES
The Thunderwolves enter the WT Invitational with a 1-4 record, picking up a win over Simon Fraser (9-2) during the opening weekend. Eastern and CSU-Pueblo played each other in the season opener, with the Greyhounds coming out on top 15-8.
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In the batter's box, CSU-Pueblo has a .278 batting average, scoring 35 runs from 40 hits with 30 RBIs. Of the 40 hits this season, the Thunderwolves has 13 extra base hits, along with 23 walks. In the circle, the team has a 9.19 ERA. CSU-P has conceded 49 runs this season from 56 hits, while walking 25 batters.
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Leading the hitters for CSU-Pueblo, Juliannah Jimenez has a .500 batting average with a team high seven hits this season. Caitlyn Cole, batting .375 after the opening weekend, has six hits and a team high for doubles (3) and RBIs (5). Cole and Raelynn Rodgers are both threats on the base paths with fives steals and six steals, respectively. Additionally, Rodgers has five RBIs this season. Jacelynn Trujillo has the Thunderwolves lone win this season, with a team best 4.90 ERA. McKenna James has a team high 11 strikeouts in 10.0 innings pitched.
