Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
LAS VEGAS, N.M. — Eastern New Mexico University’s softball team appeared to be on its way to a season-opening doubleheader sweep on Saturday against New Mexico Highlands when apparent darkness got in the way.
The Greyhounds edged the Cowgirls 2-1 in a pitchers’ duel before the teams erupted for a combined 31 runs in the first three innings of the nightcap. After a scoreless fourth inning with first-game starters Brook Leger of ENMU and Belinda Gonzalez of Highlands back in the circle, umpires ruled there was not enough sunlight left with ENMU holding a 20-11 advantage and suspended the contest.
Both starters went five effective innings in the opener. Leger, a freshman right-hander from Albuquerque, allowed four hits and a run with one walk and six strikeouts while Gonzalez gave up five hits and a pair of earned runs.
The Hounds struck first in the second inning on an RBI fielder’s choice by shortstop Jokaira Paredes, and made it 2-0 in the fourth on a squeeze bunt by designated player Mackenzie Shaw.
The Cowgirls cut the margin in half in the fifth when designated player Taylor Fish delivering an RBI double to right field. Freshman left-hander Jordan Bowman took over for Leger in the sixth and earned a save, allowing two hits with one walk and one strikeout.
In Game 2, the Hounds jumped on Highlands for six runs in the first and added seven each in the second and third innings. The Cowgirls made it a bit more interesting with six in the bottom of the third before Leger and Gonzalez were able to restore some order.
ENMU collected 18 hits off three Cowgirls pitchers before Gonzalez retired the four batters she faced. Third baseman Kianna Galindo went 2-for-2 for the Hounds and belted a two-run homer in the first, while second baseman Elysa Rodriguez finished 3-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and three RBIs; center fielder Iliana Mendoza had a went 2-for-2 with 3 RBIs and two runs scored, and catcher Andrea Cline was 2-for-4 with two doubles, two runs score, an RBI and a walk.
All told, 20 players hit safely in the abbreviated contest — 13 for ENMU.
The Hounds travel this weekend for an event hosted by Lubbock Christian. They’ll play five games in three days, beginning with Friday tilts against Nebraska-Kearney at 11 a.m. and Colorado State-Pueblo at 5 p.m.
