PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball returns to Greyhound Softball Field for a matchup with nationally-ranked #25 Angelo State. Both teams compete in a double header on Saturday, Mar. 9, set for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. The final game of the series is Sunday, Mar. 10, beginning at 12 p.m.

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. 3/9 G1 ENMU vs #25 ASU | 3/9 G2 ENMU vs #25 ASU | 3/10 G3 ENMU vs #25 ASU
• Eastern New Mexico and the Rambelles meet in Portales for a three-game series. Admission is free to all ENMU Softball Games.
• Live stats will be available for each contest this week: 3/9 G1 ENMU vs #25 ASU | 3/9 G2 ENMU vs #25 ASU | 3/10 ENMU vs #25 ASU

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS 

Eastern New Mexico (14-9, 7-8) find themselves in a five-game losing streak after dropping three tight games with Cameron University on the road. In the series, Taighen Whitzel finished with seven hits, including a pair of home runs. Valeria Contreras compiled six hits, including tying a program best three doubles in a single game, while picking up five RBIs.

ENMU continue to swing a hot bat to start the season, sitting in the top-10 in the nation for hits (221, 3^rd), slugging percentage (0.606, 4^th), total runs (181, 4^th),  doubles (54, 4^th), home runs (28, 7^th), on-base percentage (0.447, 7^th), and walks (85, 9^th). Additionally, the Greyhounds sport a .355 batting average (2^nd in LSC), along with a with 162 RBI (2^nd in LSC) on offense. Pitching wise, the Eastern have a 4.80 ERA, allowing 109 runs, with 81 strikeouts, and an opposing batting average of .294.
 
Whitzel sits atop the LSC for hits with 40, sitting 2^nd in the nation just behind Pittsburg St.'s Heather Arnett with 46 hits. Additionally, Whitzel is second in the conference for batting average (.556), on-base percentage (.628), and slugging percentage (1.056). Alondra Vasquez is having a great start to the campaign, posting a .442 batting average with a conference best 31 RBIs, and scores 27 runs (leads team, 3^rd in LSC). Whitzel and Samantha Gutierrez also account for most of the team's RBIs, with 30 RBIs and 27 RBIs, respectively. Contreras has been productive in the batter's box in recent games, boasting 10 hits and 11 RBIs in their last six games. In the circle, Emma Southerland paces the Greyhounds with a 6-3 record, while Marissa Rodriguez has a team low 3.57 ERA with 51.0 innings pitched.

SCOUTING THE #25 RAMBELLES

Angelo State (18-7, 9-6) are also in a bit of a slump, losing six of their last nine games. Recently however, ASU picked up a pair of wins over Oklahoma Christian. The Rambelles collected the final two games of the series, winning both games by a score of 4-1. During the series opener, Angelo State fell 6-1. ASU garner a #25 national-ranking in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.

The Rambelles come in as one of the better pitching teams in the conference, holding a 2.25 ERA (3^rd best in LSC), recording 145 strikeouts (2^nd in LSC), along with a conference best six saves. On offense, the Rambelles hold a .291 batting average, scoring 129 runs, from 181 hits. Angelo State has 116 RBIs, drawing 68 walks this season.

Tatiana Trotter is a duel treat with a team best .377 batting average and 24 RBIs, while leading the Rambelles in stolen bases (10). Laylonna Applin holds a team high 25 hits, while Averie Gunther and Trotter both have scored a team high 18 runs. Cheyenne Floyd has been phenomenal in the circle this season, leading the conference with 11 wins (11-2), while posting 83 strikeouts to lead the LSC. Their 1.53 ERA is a team low for Angelo State, while Torrey Hogan's 2.25 ERA and Gunther's 2.42 ERA are just behind. Matie Wolkow has four saves this season, to lead the conference.