Zias fall to Lady Buffs despite hot start

In a role reversal from last week's Lady Buff sweep, it was Eastern New Mexico University jumping out to the first-inning lead Wednesday.

CMI correspondent photo: Joshua Lucero

ia right fielder Savannah Chavez leans in to grab a fly ball from West Texas Lady Buff Renee Erwin in the top of the sixth inning of the Zias' Wednesday afternoon game against the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs at Zia Softball Field.

But it was the same result for fifth-ranked West Texas A&M, which eventually erased a 3-0 deficit en route to an 11-5 victory in a single Lone Star Conference game at Zia Softball Field.

CMI correspondent photo: Joshua Lucero

ENMU third baseman Elizabeth Velasquez gets under an infield fly ball for the second out in the top of the sixth inning of the Zias' Wednesday afternoon game against the West Texas A&M Lady Buffs at Zia Softball Field.

Hannah Newcomb scattered five hits over her five innings of work, with all three runs scored against her of the unearned variety. The Lady Buffs (40-8, 19-5 LSC) have won seven of their last eight, including a pair of wins last week over the Zias where they staked out 14-0 and 5-0 first-inning leads.

The Zias (14-39, 6-18) got on the board when third baseman Erica Armendariz scored on a dropped infield fly with two outs. Two batters later, second baseman Beatriz Caporal slapped a single into right to score another pair of runs.

Newcomb (16-4) and her defense took over from there, with three straight 1-2-3 innings and a double play to strand Elizabeth Velasquez on third base in the fifth.

By that point, WT took the lead with a five-run fifth off starter Mary Jo Granger (6-8), including a leadoff homer by designated hitter Robbie and a two-run shot by third baseman Jessica Sipe. It was Sipe's second longball of the day, with the first a leadoff shot to start the Lady Buff second inning.

Adriana Garcia pitched the final two innings of relief and allowed a pair of two-out RBI singles by Kyra Sirag and Armendariz.

The Zias still control their playoff destiny, and need to win two of their final three games against Cameron to reach the LSC's postseason tournament. The series starts with a noon (MDT) Friday doubleheader and closes out with an 11 a.m. Saturday single game.

The Lady Buffs will close out their LSC regular season with three on the road at No. 8 Texas Woman's this weekend before hosting No. 3 Southeastern Oklahoma State in a Tuesday doubleheader.