Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
GRAND PRAIRIE, Texas — In what started out as a tight pitcher’s duel, Colorado Christian scratched out a run in the top of the seventh on Sunday to edge Eastern New Mexico University 9-8 in the finale of the North Texas Bash softball tournament.
The Greyhounds (3-9) appeared headed for a possible run-rule loss when the Cougars scored five times in the top of the fifth and added three more in the sixth for an 8-0 lead. ENMU, though, counttered with an eight-spot on eight hits in the bottom half, highlighted by two-run singles from catcher Samantha Brockman and third baseman Kylee Keller and a game-tying RBI single to center by shortstop Susannah Chandler.
But the Cougars (7-5) loaded the bases against freshman reliever Kaylee Rogers (2-4) with no outs in the top of the seventh, on three singles — two of the infield variety. ENMU then turned a double play when center fielder Precious Aguirre caught a fly ball and threw out to would-be go-ahead run at home, but a wild pitch by Rogers sent CCU’s Hanna Farmer home from third.
In the bottom of the inning, first baseman Tiana Faagalulu was hit by a pitch leading off, and pinch-runner Kianna Kerr advanced to second on a wild pitch. She tried to score on a single to right by Ashley Lopez, only to be thrown out by Cougars righth fielder Hayley Novacek, and Sarah Probasco then got Audrey Velasquez on strikes to end it.
Colorado Christian outhit the Hounds 12-11, with Farmer reaching five times on three singles and a pair of walks, stealing two bases and scoring three runs.
Eight players had a hit for ENMU, including two each for Velasquez, Keller and Chandler. Keller and Chandler each had two hits in the fifth-inning explosion, in which ENMU sent 13 batters to the plate.
ENMU opens its home slate on Wednesday with a noon doubleheader against New Mexico Highlands.
