CANYON, TEXAS – Eastern New Mexico Softball fell behind in a pair of games with #2 West Texas A&M on Wednesday afternoon at Schaeffer Park. The Greyhounds dropped the opening game, 9-0 (5 Inn.), while late runs propelled WT to a 9-1 (6 Inn.) victory during game two. The Greyhounds drop to 15-14 overall, with a 8-13 conference record. Meanwhile, the #2 Lady Buffs shift to 25-2 overall, improving their conference best record to 17-1.

GAME ONE: #2 WT 9, ENMU 0 (5 Inn.)

The home team brought home a pair of runs in the first inning, stealing bases to force the runner's home. With runners on the corners, WT initiated a double steal to plate the first run. Later in the inning, another double steal scored a second run (aided by an error). West Texas A&M executed another double steal in the second frame to go up 3-0.
 
After the Greyhounds were held in the third inning, WT added two more runs in the bottom of the inning, using a home run and a ground out to push the score to 5-0. The Lady Buffs concluded the scoring with a grand slam in the 4^th inning, ending the game in five innings, 9-0.

NOTABLE STATS

• The Buffs provided seven hits in the game, with a pair of home runs, while stealing five bases. ENMU finished with three singles in the game.
• Samantha Gutierrez provided a pair of singles, while Taighen Whitzel picked up a base hit in the opening inning.
• Marissa Rodriguez was dealt the loss, tossing three innings with nine runs (six earned), from seven hits, with four walks. Ciara Loken recorded the final three outs for the Greyhounds, retiring all three batters they faced.
• Emilee Boyer picked up the win in four innings pitched on three hits and four strikeouts. Heidi Vortherms tossed the final inning with a pair of strikeouts.

GAME TWO: #2 WT 9, ENMU 1 (6 Inn.)

After ENMU didn't take advantage of a lead off single in the first inning, West Texas A&M scored three runs in the first inning. An inside the park home run, another home run to center field, and back-to-back doubles put the Lady Buffs ahead 3-0. WT continued their scoring a run in the 3^rd inning and 4^th inning to go ahead 5-0.
 
ENMU got on the board during the 5^th inning, with Aylene Lucero starting the frame with a pinch hit single. Lucero later stole second base, then came home on a Cecy Jurado single with two outs. The Lady Buffs did pick up a run from an error in the bottom of the inning to restore a five-run advantage.
 
During the sixth inning, West Texas A&M concluded the game with back-to-back home runs to win the game 9-1.

NOTABLE STATS

• Of the 12 hits for WT, nine went for extra base hits including four home runs and five doubles. ENMU compiled six hits in the game, with Gutierrez providing a pair, including a double.
• Along with Gutierrez, Jurado, and Lucero, Mikenzey Patterson, and Grace Rofii supplied singles.
• Emma Southerland is given the loss, giving up six runs (five earned), while Jordan Rivera gave up three runs from three hits.
• Ashley Madell tossed all six innings for WT, recording seven strikeouts with six hits allowed and one unearned run.

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• Skylar Hardin made their first two starts of the season, playing the field (at first base) for the first time.
• The Greyhounds look to regroup against UT Permian Basin, as the Falcons come to Portales for a three-game series this weekend. Both teams begin the series with a double-header on Saturday, Mar. 15, beginning at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.