ENMU softball falls in opening games

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — It's not called the Desert Stinger Tournament for nothing, the Eastern New Mexico softball team learned Friday.

In their first test of the softball season, the Greyhounds came out stung on the other end of a 7-2 victory by Western Oregon at the Vegas-based tournament. They ended their day 0-2, as No. 21 Chico State handed Eastern an 8-0 defeat.

The Wolves scored four of their runs on homers, including Chandler Bishop's two-run shot in the third off Hound starter Leslie Reyes that swung the lead for good.

Reyes was charged with six runs, all earned in her 4 1/3 innings of work with 10 hits and a walk. Hanna Gary allowed a solo homer in the seventh inning, but struck out four of the nine batters she faced in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

The Greyhounds scored on RBI singles — Lauren Likes in the second and Karina Moreno in the fourth.

Chico State worked much quicker, taking care of the Greyhounds through the eight-runs-after-five mercy rule. Sam Mulock pitched the first three innings for the Wildcats (1-0), and scattered three hits.

In all, ENMU got four hits, including a 2-for-2 performance from senior rightfielder Samantha Glover.

Chico State shortstop Wendy Cardinal went 2-for-3, including a two-run homer in the first and a two-run double in the second as the Wildcats posted a quick 7-0 lead after two. Kimberly Herron lasted just one inning in taking the loss, allowing six runs on five hits.

The Greyhounds resume play at the Stinger against Hawaii-Hilo at 12:30 p.m. today, then California State Monterey Bay at 3 p.m.