PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball find themselves on the road to face another nationally-ranked opponent, traveling to #5 UT Tyler for a three-game conference series. The series starts on Saturday, Mar. 23, with a doubleheader scheduled for 12 p.m. (MST) and 2 p.m. (MST). The getaway game is scheduled for 11 a.m. (MST), on Sunday, Mar. 24.

TUNE IN

• This weekend'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: 3/23 G1 ENMU vs #5 UTT | 3/23 G2 ENMU vs #5 UTT | 3/24 G3 ENMU vs #5 UTT
• The Greyhounds travel to Tyler, Texas to face the reigning conference champions. Fans planning to travel can purchase tickets in person or online, with a general admission ticket costing $8: UTT Tickets
• Live stats will be available for each contest this weekend: 3/23-24 Live Stats ENMU vs #5 UTT

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

The Greyhounds (18-14, 11-13) enter the weekend following a sweep against UT Permian Basin just a few days ago, ending a five-game losing streak. Eastern took the opening game in five innings (8-0), scoring eight runs in the first three innings behind a shutout from Marissa Rodriguez in the circle. During the doubleheader, ENMU came away with an 8-5 victory and a 6-2 win. In the first game, Alondra Vasquez and Samantha Gutierrez combined for four home runs and six RBIs. In the second game, Jordan Rivera (3.2 IP, 7 K's) and Rodriguez (W, 3.1 IP, 2 H) combined to stir Eastern to victory on the bump.

ENMU still stand as one of the top hitting teams in the conference, landing in the top-three for most statistical hitting categories in the LSC: batting average (.336, 2^nd), on-base percentage (.427, 3^rd), slugging percentage (.568, 3^rd), hits (280, 3^rd), runs (212, 3^rd), and RBI's (190, 2^nd). In the circle, Eastern New Mexico has a 4.86 ERA, striking out 1116 hitters and allowing 156 runs from 235 hits.
 
Three power bats lead the ENMU lineup, with Taighen Whitzel, Vasquez, and Gutierrez all registering a slugging percentage above .750 with each student-athlete having more than 30 RBIs this season (All top-five in LSC). Whitzel leads the team with 46 hits, along with 19 walks, and a .479 batting average this season. Mikenzey Patterson is next for batting average (.397), just beating out Vasquez and Gutierrez who each have a .396 BA. The Greyhounds pitching staff is led by Emma Southerland (7-6), Rodriguez (7-6), and Rivera (4-2). Rodriguez has a team best 3.53 ERA, with six complete games and a save. Southerland has a team high 72.0 innings pitched this season with 42 strikeouts (program best).

SCOUTING THE #5 PATRIOTS

Winning the LSC Championship the last two seasons, #5 UT Tyler (26-6) is still a powerhouse in Division II softball and the conference. The Patriots have won 16 consecutive conference games coming into the weekend, having lost their last game in a non-conference series with Oklahoma Baptist, 3-2. UTT claimed a sweep of Oklahoma Christian during their last conference series (6-5 10 Inn., 9-0, and 12-4 6 Inn.). The Patriots rank as the number five team in the nation based on the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.
 
The Patriots are one of the best hitting and pitching teams in the conference, holding a league leading 1.72 ERA (13^th in Division II). UTT has allowed just 69 runs this season on 156 hits, posting 153 strikeouts as opponents have a .204 batting average against the Patriots. In the batter's box, UTT is just slightly ahead of the Greyhounds in most categories, posting 284 hits (2^nd in LSC), scoring 217 runs (2^nd in LSC), with 184 RBIs (3^rd in LSC), and a .331 batting average (3^rd in LSC).
 
Eight hitters have a batting average over .300, while a pair of Patriots are batting over .400. Courtney Plocheck leads the team with a .427 batting average with 47 hits and 11 doubles. Michelle Arias' 32 RBIs leads the team, while Sam Schott paces the team in runs scored with 35, and JT Smith ranks as of the best base stealers with 11 this season (recently being named LSC Hitter of the Week). Kaylee Davis has the team low 1.45 ERA with seven victories this season in 58.0 innings. Genesis Armendariz leads the pitching staff with 10 complete games this season during 93.2 IP, with a 9-4 record and a 1.87 ERA.