KINGSVILLE, Texas – A shutout in game one led to a split of the doubleheader for Eastern New Mexico Softball against Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday afternoon at Vernie and Blanche Hubert Field. The day began with a 3-0 shutout win for ENMU, with the Greyhounds scoring all three runs during the 2
nd inning. During the second game, the Javelinas put up four runs in the 6
th inning to win 6-4 over ENMU. The Greyhounds now stand at 24-22 on the season, holding a 17-21 conference standing. Meanwhile, Texas A&M-Kingsville moves to 28-21 overall, sporting a 22-19 LSC record.
GAME ONE: ENMU 3, TAMUK 0
After both teams came up empty in the first inning, the Greyhounds struck first in the second frame.
Taighen Whitzel led off the inning with a walk, then
Marissa Rodriguez doubled to left center to get two runners in scoring position.
Grace Rofii brought home the opening run with a single to center field, then
Valeria Contreras singled to right center make the score 2-0. After the Javelinas produced two outs,
Mikenzey Patterson drove in a run with a single to left center (3-0 ENMU). ENMU kept the score at 3-0 after turning a double play to end the inning.
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Strong defense and pitching kept the score level over the next several innings. Of the 14-half innings in the contest, there were multiple hits in just one inning (Top 2
nd). The Javelinas did get a base runner on the 6
th inning via a single, but Contreras turned a 6-3 double play to get out of the inning with the score still 3-0. Rodriguez polished off the game going 1-2-3 during the 7
th inning to claim a 3-0 win.Â
NOTABLE STATS
- ENMU out-hit the home team, 6-5, bringing home three runs in one inning. ENMU turned a pair of double plays in the game, while registering just one extra base hit.
- Rofii led the Greyhounds in the batter's box, going 3-3 with a RBI and a run scored. Contreras and Patterson both collected RBIs on singles, while Rodriguez' double was the only extra base hit.
- In the circle, Rodriguez twirled a shutout against the Javelinas, allowing just five hits, one walk, and one hit-by-pitch, along with five strikeouts.
- Beth Montes takes the loss during a complete game effort. Allowing three runs from six hits, Montes struck out five batters and gave up one walk.
GAME TWO: TAMUK 6, ENMU 4
Eastern opened the scoring with three runs during the second inning. After a Contreras walk and a
Cecy Jurado infield single,
Judith Osuna doubled off the left field fence to score the game's first run. Two batters later, Patterson reached on an error to plate both runners while picking up an RBI. The Javelinas looked to respond in the bottom of the frame, taking advantage of a pair of walks to get two runners on base. A wild pitch moved the runners to scoring position, put an infield pop up ended the frame with ENMU ahead 3-0.
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ENMU added to its lead in the 3
rd inning, with Contreras coming home on an error by the Javelina catcher. Contreras singled and Jurado reached on an error, setting up runners on the corners. After Jurado took second on a wild pitch, Contreras took home plate as the attempted throw to second base was offline. Texas A&M-Kingsville halved the Greyhounds lead, scoring a pair of runs in the bottom of the third. An RBI single and a passed ball led to the Javelinas scoring. The Greyhound had a chance to add some more runs in the 5
th, as a pair of singles and a walk left the bases loaded with two outs. However, a flyout in foul territory ended the inning.
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Texas A&M-Kingsville took the lead in the 6
th inning, hitting a pair of home runs. After two base runners reached with two outs, a three-run home run swung the lead to the Javelinas, while a solo home run shortly after made the game 6-4 Javelinas. The home team held off the Greyhounds late comeback in the 7
th inning to take the game 6-4.
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NOTABLE STATS
- The Greyhounds supplied more hits than the Javelinas (10-7), despite losing the game. Seven of the nine starters recorded a base hit in the game for ENMU.
- Gutierrez, Jurado, and Rofii all supplied a pair of singles, while Osuna and Patterson secured an RBI.
- Jordan Rivera takes the defeat, giving up all six runs (one earned run), on seven hits, six walks, with one strikeout. Ciara Loken produced one out, allowing a walk in the two batters they faced.
- Jordyn Rodriguez allowed 10 hits in the victory, striking out six batters with four walks and four runs allowed (two earned runs).
FROM THE SOURCE
"Game one we fired on all cylinders, defense, pitching, and hitting!", said Head ENMU Softball Coach Amanda Fefel. "We worked out of a couple of jams in game one but found a way to stay solid throughout. Marissa (Rodriguez) was able to find the zone after a tight first inning and settled in well," said Fefel. "Offensively, we produced big in one inning that pushed us to victory. I wish we would have capitalized with runners on in game two," said Fefel. "We had our opportunities but couldn't execute. We need to fight tomorrow to take another tough road game," said Fefel.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE
- ENMU earned their first road win over the Javelinas since 2013, during a 6-0 win on April 13th, 2013 (also marks last shutout win for ENMU).
- Rodriguez dialed in their 4th shutout of the season, tied for 5th most in a single season. This marks the first seven inning shutout for Rodriguez this season and hasn't allowed a run in their last 15.0 IP.
- Rofii finished with a season best three hits in the opening game.
- Osuna supplied their fourth double of the season and their eight RBI of the campaign. Jurado provided their second multi-hit game of the season, while Rofii now has three consecutive games with more than one hit.
- The Greyhounds return to the diamond tomorrow to wrap up the series, taking on the Javelinas at 11 a.m. (MST).
