LOS LUNAS, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball (1-1) began the 2025 season with an opening day split on Friday afternoon at Los Lunas Sports Complex. In the opening game, Eastern held onto a 3-2 victory over Simon Fraser (1-1). During the nightcap, UCCS (2-0) outlasted the Greyhounds in a three hour, eight inning marathon, with the Greyhounds coming back in the 7^th inning, but UCCS came out on top 10-9 (8 Inn.).

GAME ONE: ENMU 3, SFU 2

Miranda Guillen got the start in the circle for the season opener and threw four shutout innings with five strikeouts, three walks, and two hits allowed. During those first four innings, ENMU tallied three runs on the board to go ahead early. ENMU opened the scoring after an error on a Chanler Groves bunt single brought home a run, then Aylene Lucero forced home a run on a groundout. Lucero and Groves combined for a run in the 4^th inning, with Lucero doubling home Groves after a walk to start the 4^th frame. The Red Leafs picked up a pair of runs in the 6^th inning, but the Greyhounds managed to secure the final three outs and seal the 3-2 win.

NOTABLE STATS

• Both ENMU and SFU had five hits, with Alexa Ayala and Lucero having doubles.
• Lucero secured both RBIs in the game, while stole a pair of bases in the game. Five different Greyhounds recorded a hit.
• Marissa Rodriguez earned a three inning save, getting the final nine outs, while Guillen took credit for the win in the circle. Monica Bourque took the lost, going 5.1 IP with five hits, five walks, and three runs allowed. Shannon Hollingworth threw 1.2 hitless innings in relief.
• Several Greyhounds made their ENMU debut during the game: Ayala, Ramona Fossum, Guillen, Emily Marsh, Christina Meneses, Cierra Smith, and Rashelle VerSteeg.
• Additionally, Ayala, Guillen, Marsh, Meneses, C. Smith, and VerSteeg played their first collegiate game.

GAME TWO: UCCS 10, ENMU 9 (8 Inn.)

Eastern New Mexico struck first taking a 5-0 lead after the 4^th inning. Lucero began the third inning with a bunt single, then Alondra Vasquez drove Lucero home with a deep triple. Three batters later, Valeria Contreras tripled home a run, then Madison Begaye singled up the middle to give ENMU a 5-0 lead. Then, UCCS scored seven runs in the top of the 5^th inning, aided by a grand slam, 7-5 UCCS. Both teams grabbed a run in the 6^th frame, and UCCS picked up one more run in the seventh as ENMU trailed 9-6 with just three outs remaining. Lucero supplied a two-RBI double to begin the 7^th inning, then Meneses doubled to score Lucero and tied the game at 9-9. However, in extra innings UCCS was able to score in the 8^th and hold off the Greyhounds to win 10-9 (8 Inn.)

NOTABLE STATS

• Both teams finished with 13 hits in the game, while the Greyhounds had five extra base hits, and UCCS had four extra base hits.
• Lucero led the Greyhounds, going 4-5 at the plate, finishing with two doubles, two RBIs, and three runs scored. Contreras finished 4-4 in the game, while Meneses was 2-2 as a pinch hitter.
• Four Greyhounds entered the circle, with Jordan Rivera starting the game and recording eight strikeouts in 4.2 innings. Maggie Smith and C. Smith both had short appearances, while Rodriguez tossed the final three frames.
• For the Mountain Lions, Autumn Kunze threw seven innings in the win with 11 strikeouts, while Lauren Falk shutdown the 8^th inning to earn a save.

The Greyhounds resume the weekend tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 1, with two more games against RMAC opponents. First, ENMU will face New Mexico Highlands at 3 p.m., then close the day against Adams State, with first pitch scheduled for 5:30 p.m.