PORTALES, N.M. – After having moved its weekend series, Eastern New Mexico Softball returns to the diamond to face UT Permian Basin in a three-game Lone Star Conference (LSC) series during the mid-week. A single game on Tuesday, Mar. 19, starts the series with first pitch expected for 2 p.m. Then, both teams meet for a doubleheader on Wednesday, Mar. 20, beginning at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.

TUNE IN

• This week'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: 3/19 G1 ENMU vs UTPB | 3/20 G2 ENMU vs UTPB | 3/20 G3 ENMU vs UTPB
• ENMU plays its fourth home series of the season, as UT Permian Basin comes to Portales. All games at ENMU Softball Field are free for attendees.
• Live stats will be available for each contest this week: 3/19 ENMU vs UTPB | 3/20 G1 ENMU vs UTPB | 3/20 G3 ENMU vs UTPB

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

Eastern (15-14, 8-13) find themselves in a bit of a slump, falling in 10 of their last 11 games against Lubbock Christian, Cameron, #25 Angelo State, and #2 West Texas A&M. In their most recent series, the Greyhounds faced a tough #2 West Texas A&M squad falling in three games. In the opening game, ENMU led 3-0 with Samantha Gutierrez hitting a solo home run, Chanler Groves posted an RBI triple, while Alondra Vasquez added an RBI single. However, WT responded to take the game 7-3. West Texas A&M controlled the final two games, winning 9-0 (5 Inn.) and 9-1 (6 Inn.).

ENMU enter the halfway point of the season of top offenses in terms of batting average. Holding a .332 batting average (3^rd in LSC), with 190 runs (3^rd in LSC), 170 RBIs (3^rd in LSC), and 252 hits (4^th in LSC). Nationally, the team is 9^th in the nation with 57 doubles, 21^st in hits (252), and 25^th in walks with 95. In the circle, Eastern New Mexico has a 5.19 ERA, striking out 100 hitters and allowing 149 runs from 222 hits.
 
Leading the Greyhound hitters, Vasquez and Taighen Whitzel sit at the top of nearly every hitting statistical category. Whitzel leads the team in batting average (.483), on-base percentage (.558), slugging percentage (.888), and hits (43). Vasquez provides a team best 28 runs scored, 33 RBI's, and 10 doubles. In the circle, Emma Southerland leads the team with six win and 38 strikeouts, while Marissa Rodriguez has a team high 62.2 innings pitched and a team low 3.91 ERA.

SCOUTING THE FALCONS

UT Permian Basin (4-23, 1-17) have had an up and down season thus far, securing just one win in their last 18 conference games, beating Midwestern State 5-4 in 9 innings. In their last series, the Falcons fell in a pair of close game against Oklahoma Christian, 3-0 and 3-2, along with a 11-0 defeat.

Offensively, the Falcons have struggled being shutout in 13 of their last 16 games. The team sports a .219 batting average with 54 runs scored during the season from 138 hits, with 51 RBIs. UT Permian Basin sports a .300 batting average, with a .281 slugging percentage on 28 extra base hits. Defensively, UT Permian Basin hold a 6.62 ERA, with 83 strikeouts, allowing 195 runs on 222 hits.

Stephanie Jimenez leads the team with 21 hits this season and a .362 batting average, while Delaney Doelitsch brings home nine RBIs with two home runs in 2024. Julia Bumford and Kylie Parker both have 12 hits each this season with a .245 batting average, while Gabrielle Cabrera chips in with 13 hits and eight RBIs. Morgan McGaugh accounts for all of the wins for UTPB this season (4-6), while Destini Trahan leads the team with a 4.55 ERA and 34 strikeouts.