PORTALES, N.M. – On a windy day in Portales, Eastern New Mexico Softball (8-4, 1-1 LSC) combined for seven home runs over a pair of games against Texas A&M International (7-6, 1-1 LSC) on Friday afternoon at Greyhound Softball Field. TAMIU stole the first game after scoring five runs in the final inning to beat ENMU 8-6, then the Greyhounds run-ruled the Dustdevils in the second game, winning 11-1 (6 Inn.) after scoring 11 unanswered runs.
GAME ONE: TAMIU 8, ENMU 6
Texas A&M International scored the first run in opening frame, but Eastern replied with two runs to take the lead.
Aylene Lucero and
Valeria Contreras both got hits to begin the Greyhound hitting, then
Christina Meneses gave ENMU the lead with a two-run single up the middle. The Greyhounds added to its lead with a two-run home run from Lucero in the 2
nd inning, but the Texas A&M International brought the score to 4-3 after four full innings. Solo home runs from
Madison Begaye and
Alondra Vasquez pushed the Greyhounds lead to 6-3 heading into the 7
th inning. However, the Dustdevils scored five runs in the final frame to slip past ENMU 8-6 in the opening game.
NOTABLE STATS
- Texas A&M International edged the Greyhounds for hits, 10-9, but Eastern had more extra base hits in the game (4-3).
- Begaye hit their first career home run as a Greyhound, while Vasquez collected their 24th home run as a Greyhound. Begaye's home run was part of a career best 3-3 day at the plate.
- Lucero scored twice, with two RBIs, and a pair of hits. Four other Greyhounds registered a hit during the game.
- Jordan Rivera tossed six innings in the circle, getting a no-decision allowing six runs from eight hits, recording eight strikeouts. Cierra Smith is dealt the loss, allowing a pair of runs in one inning, recording one K.
- Nevaeh Herrera earned the win in relief for TAMIU, allowing just two hits and no runs over 3.0 innings. Kylie Goad started the game for the Dustdevils, giving up six runs in four innings.
GAME TWO: ENMU 11, TAMIU 1 (6 Inn.)
Texas A&M International scored the game's first run, combining a pair of singles and a double in the 2
nd inning to take a 1-0 advantage. Eastern's defense kept the game tight, as Eastern broke through in the 4
th inning. Lucero began the inning with a single to center field, then moved over on a Contreras sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Meneses crushed a go ahead two-run home run, giving Eastern the lead with one swing.
Moving into the 5
th inning, The Greyhounds broke up the contest with four runs on four hits.
Emily Marsh singled to begin the inning, later Eastern had runners in scoring position after a fielder's choice and a sacrifice bunt.
Alexa Ayala stepped in as a pinch hitter, and brought home both runners with a single to right, 4-1 ENMU. Lucero stepped in as the next batter and hit a line drive home run, rising just above the left centerfield fence, 6-1 ENMU. After a 1-2-3 top of the 6
th, the Greyhounds ended the game with five runs in the bottom of the inning. Marsh led off the inning with a solo home run, then three walks loaded the bases for Contreras with one out. The Greyhound shortstop hit a grand slam to end the game, finishing 11-1 against the Dustdevils.
NOTABLE STATS
- After not getting a base runner over the first three innings, Eastern finished with eight hits over the final three innings, including four home runs. The Greyhounds defense turned a pair of double plays in the game, while laying down three sacrifice hits.
- Contreras, Lucero, and Marsh all finished with a pair of hits (each with a home run), while Contreras led ENMU with four RBIs, and Lucero scored three times.
- Miranda Guillen recorded a complete game victory in the circle (3-1), allowing just six hits in six innings, giving up one run, with six strikeouts. Zakayla Fredrick got the loss for the Dustdevils, allowing five runs (four earned) over 4.1 innings. Andrea Hataway (0.2 IP, 3 R) and Celeste Apaez (0.1 IP, 3 R) both entered the game for TAMIU.
- Marsh hit their first career home run as a Greyhound, while Guillen fired their second complete game of the season in the circle.
- Eastern hit four home runs in a single game for the first time since 2024, when they did so against St. Mary's at home during a 11-7 win (4/26/24). Contreras is the first Greyhound to hit a walkoff home run since Taighen Whitzel hit a solo home run in a eight inning victory over Lubbock Christian (4-3, 2/27/24).
Eastern continues the home conference weekend on Sunday, February 16, facing Texas A&M-Kingsville. The first game is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the second game of the day slated for 3 p.m. from Greyhound Softball Field.
