PORTALES, N.M. – Eastern New Mexico Softball welcomes #3 ranked West Texas A&M to Portales this weekend for a doubleheader on Friday afternoon at Greyhound Softball Field. First pitch of the opening game is scheduled for 2 p.m., while the second game is expected to begin at 4 p.m.

TUNE IN

• The LSC doubleheader will be broadcast on FloCollege. FloCollege is the central location to watch Lone Star Conference live and on-demand events, offering a $14.99 per month pass or $99.99 per year pass. Additionally, those who use a .edu email address from an LSC member institution will be able to sign up at a discounted subscription price of $9.99 per month or $69.99 for the year.
• Admission to all ENMU Softball games is free.
• Live statistics will be available via StatBroadcast for both games: ENMU vs #3 WT G1 | ENMU vs #3 WT G2

SERIES INSIGHT

• Eastern New Mexico and West Texas A&M re-new the long-time rivalry, playing each other 67 times before Friday's meeting. West Texas A&M has a 50-17 record against the Lady Buffs, including a 44-6 record in conference play.
• Last season, the Lady Buffs took all three games in Canyon against the Greyhounds. The series opener was the closest game between the teams, with WT coming from behind to win 7-3. Eastern fell in the final two games by run-rule (9-0 and 9-1).
• Eastern's last victory against West Texas A&M occurred at home, winning against WT 3-2 (4/30/22). After that victory, the Lady Buffs have won eight straight games against the Greyhounds.
• Seven of the Greyhounds wins against WT have come at home, with three of those seven wins happening since 2020.
• The teams first played each other in a neutral site contest in 2006, in San Angelo, Texas, as the Greyhounds came away with a 4-1 win.

SCOUTING THE GREYHOUNDS

• Eastern enters the weekend on a four-game winning streak, beating Sul Ross State and UT Permian Basin in a pair of doubleheader sweeps. The Greyhounds outscored the two teams 23-2 over the four games, with the two runs being unearned. ENMU hold a 20-14 overall record, along with a 13-11 conference record.
• Offensively, Eastern have a .304 batting average this season, scoring 209 runs on 281 hits. The Greyhounds have picked up 53 doubles, nine triples, and 29 home runs. In the circle, ENMU holds a 3.90 ERA, recording 183 strikeouts this season with 154 runs allowed, on 225 hits.
• Pacing the Greyhounds in several hitting categories, Aylene Lucero has a team high .414 batting average, 38 runs scored, 46 hits, and 31 RBIs. The graduate student also leads the team in slugging percentage (.685), on-base percentage (.519), and stolen bases (11-13). Christina Meneses is just behind for batting average (.392), while providing a conference leading 13 doubles this season. Alondra Vasquez leads the team with eight home runs, batting .364, while Valeria Contreras contributes a .349 batting average to the lineup.
• Miranda Guillen has been a force in the circle over recent weeks, holding a 1.08 ERA over their last five starts, striking out 43 batters in 32.1 IP. On the season, Guillen leads the Greyhounds with a 2.51 ERA, throwing 75.1 IP, 89 strikeouts and eight complete games. Jordan Rivera (6-2) is holding hitters to a .211 batting average, with a 3.60 ERA over 60.1 IP. Marissa Rodriguez has entered from the bullpen in recent games, recording two saves in their last two outings allowing two hits over six scoreless innings.

SCOUTING THE #3 LADY BUFFS

• Coming in as one of the top teams in the nation, #3 West Texas A&M have a 32-2 overall standing and a 22-2 LSC record. Winning their last 12 games in a row, the Buffs recently sweep #4 Angelo State and Lubbock Christian in four close games.
• The Lady Buffs come into the games as one of the top hitting and pitching teams in the nation. WT leads the nation for batting average (.375), scoring (8.85 runs per game), and slugging percentage (.645), while being second in total hits (357). The team totals 67 doubles, 25 triples, and 47 home runs, while stealing 82 bases this season. Meanwhile, the team's ERA is top-10 in the country at 1.89 ERA, while giving up 82 runs from 187 hits this season.
• Emilee Boyer is a conference player of the year candidate with their ability for hitting and pitching. The junior has a .479 batting average with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs. They post a .968 slugging percentage, while leading the team in innings pitched (94.2 IP) and strikeouts (123). Boyer has a 1.92 ERA this season with a .207 opposing batting average, and a 16-1 record in the circle (4^th in nation for victories).
• All nine regular starters in the batting lineup have a batting average above .300, with Lauren Granger posting a team best 51 hits, 11 doubles, and six triples, while adding nine home runs. Heaven Moreno is sitting at a .387 batting average this season with 41 hits, while Kiley Avery has a team high 14 stolen bases. Heidi Vortherms is the other primary starter, with a 1.92 ERA over 16 starts this season with 78 strikeouts.