PORTALES, N.M. - Eastern New Mexico University softball dropped a pair of games to No. 6 West Texas A&M on Saturday afternoon at Greyhound Softball Field, falling 10-2 in game one before dropping the nightcap 9-1.

The losses marked the Greyhounds' first weekend of Lone Star Conference play, moving ENMU to 4-5 overall and 0-2 in LSC action, while the Lady Buffs improved to 12-2 overall and 2-0 in conference play.

Game 1: No. 6 WT 10, ENMU 2

The Greyhounds struggled to find their offensive rhythm in the opener as No. 6 West Texas A&M jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The Lady Buffs plated three runs in the first inning and added three more in the second to take a commanding 6-0 advantage.

Eastern New Mexico finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth inning, pushing across two runs to cut the deficit to 8-2. However, that would be all the offense the Greyhounds could assemble as West Texas added two insurance runs in the sixth inning to secure the 10-2 victory over the Hounds.

Samantha Parisi led the Greyhounds at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a run scored. Natalie Rodarte provided the power, launching a solo home run and finishing 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Christina Meneses added two hits in the contest, going a perfect 2-for-2.

In the circle, the Greyhounds utilized Giazza Lopez and Marissa Rodriguez. Lopez earned the start and pitched 1.0 innings with six hits, six runs, and one strikeout. Rodriguez came in after the first inning, allowing three hits and four runs with a strikeout.

Game 2: No. 6 WT 9, ENMU 1

The nightcap proved to be another challenging outing for the Greyhounds as WT jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. The Lady Buffs continued to add to their advantage with a single run in the third and a pair of runs in the fourth before adding three more in the fifth.

Eastern's lone run came in the bottom half of the fifth when Seneca Aarstad scored Cierra Smith from a hit through the left side of the field, preventing the shutout but unable to mount a serious comeback against the sixth-ranked Lady Buffs.

The Greyhounds managed four hits in game two, while Natalie Rodarte led the way with three hits. Parisi, Meneses, and Kayla Campbell each contributed one hit apiece in the losing effort.

Miranda Guillen took the loss in the circle for ENMU, working three innings and allowing four runs. Angelina Rubalcava pitched 1.2 innings in relief, while Cierra Smith closed out the final third of an inning.

The Greyhounds will look to bounce back next weekend when they return to Greyhound Softball Field to host Cameron on Thursday, February 20, for more Lone Star Conference action.