PORTALES, N.M. - Eastern New Mexico softball hits the road Friday for a doubleheader against UT Dallas in Richardson, Texas, marking the first-ever meeting between the two programs. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT.
 
The Greyhounds (6-7) will look to bounce back from a pair of losses to nationally ranked Oklahoma Christian last Sunday in Portales, where ENMU fell 11-3 and 4-1 to the Eagles.
 
Eastern's offense has been paced by a balanced attack led by sophomore Christina Meneses, who enters the weekend with a team-best .531 batting average. Meneses has collected 17 hits in 32 at-bats with three home runs and 32 total bases through 13 games, establishing herself as one of the most dangerous hitters in the Greyhounds lineup.
 
Right behind Meneses is Natalie Rodarte, who is hitting .457 (16-for-35) with eight RBIs and 24 total bases. Rodarte has also shown excellent plate discipline, drawing eight walks to help fuel the ENMU offense.
 
Giazza Lopez has been another consistent contributor, posting a .310 average (9-for-29) with 14 total bases, while Samantha Parisi is hitting .303 (10-for-33) with 11 total bases. Emily Marsh rounds out the offensive leaders with a .250 batting average, three doubles and a .410 on-base percentage.
 
As a team, the Hounds are hitting .280 with a .449 slugging percentage and .392 on-base percentage. ENMU has scored 76 runs while collecting 69 RBIs, 21 doubles, two triples and 10 home runs. The Greyhounds have been perfect on the basepaths, going 6-for-6 in stolen base attempts.
 
In the circle, Miranda Guillen leads the Greyhounds with a 3-2 record and a 3.89 ERA in 36.0 innings of work. Guillen has been effective at missing bats, recording 34 strikeouts while limiting opponents to a .261 batting average.
 
Marissa Rodriguez brings a 2-0 record into the weekend with a 5.73 ERA in 22.0 innings pitched. Rodriguez has struck out 12 batters and held opponents to a .290 batting average.
 
Angelina Rubalcava owns a 1-1 record with a 6.46 ERA in 13.0 innings. Despite allowing 14 hits and 12 earned runs, Rubalcava has been effective at generating strikeouts with 14 punchouts and has limited opponents to a .246 batting average.
 
The Greyhounds pitching staff has combined for a 6.27 ERA over 82.2 innings with 69 strikeouts. ENMU's defense has posted a .949 fielding percentage.
 
Following Friday's action in Richardson, Eastern will have a brief break before returning to action next week. ENMU will travel to Sul Ross State on Friday, March 6, before closing out the road swing at Western New Mexico on Sunday, March 8.