Home runs lift Cameron past ENMU

PORTALES — It took all of five pitches to send Cameron on its way to completing a Lone Star Conference softball series sweep of Eastern New Mexico University on Saturday.

The Aggies hit three consecutive home runs in the fourth inning for all the damage in a 5-0 win over ENMU at Greyhound Softball Field.

ENMU freshman Kaylee Rogers (14-15) survived bases-loaded jams in each of the first two innings, got the first two Aggies hitters in the fourth on a flyout and a strikeout, then gave up a single to Kaytlyn Kizarr and a walk to Brenna Busby.

Brenna’s twin sister, catcher Callie Busby, then took a 2-0 pitch over the center field fence for her fourth home run of the season. Third baseman Paige Daino belted the next offering out to left before second baseman Breezy McCormick went deep on a 1-1 pitch, ending Rogers’ day.

That was all it took. Right-hander Bethany Hines (21-5) earned her second win in the three-game set, allowing four hits with no walks and three strikeouts for the Aggies (28-13, 16-4 LSC).

Three of the hits off Hines were doubles, including two by junior center fielder Ashley Lopez, but the Greyhounds (18-30, 10-14) were simply unable to put anything together in a game played in an hour and a half.

Senior Katie Ripple took over for Rogers and threw 3 1/3 shutout innings for the Hounds, allowing just one hit.

ENMU returns to action with a three-game LSC sets next weekend at Texas A&M-Kingsville, beginning with a 4 p.m. (MST) single game on Friday.