MSU takes series from Hounds

Midwestern State's Addison Lindemann did it all in this week's Lone Star Conference softball series against Eastern New Mexico University at Greyhound Softball Field.

The freshman right-hander tossed 13 innings and allowed just two runs, including her first collegiate shutout with a 3-0 victory in Friday's series finale. She also delivered a two-run, first-inning homer that set the tone in that one.

The Mustangs (7-29, 5-22 LSC), second from the bottom in the league coming in, won just their second series of the season and put a damper on the Greyhounds (20-18, 13-17), who currently hold the 10th and final spot for the LSC tournament, scheduled for early May.

Lindemann entered the series with a 2-9 record, but a respectable earned run average. She completely baffled the Hounds by changing speeds and location. ENMU rarely had a good swing in the finale, managing only four singles – including three of the infield variety.

Lindemann now has a 0.84 ERA over her last eight appearances, covering 41 2/3 innings. Meantime, the Mustangs were solid in all facets in the series – offense, defense and pitching.

"She's really good at locating," MSU coach Brittanie Talley said. "I think her record is a little bit (deceiving).

"Usually we only have one piece of the game (working). This series we were able to put it all together."

Midwestern State came into the series hitting .208 as a team and averaging just over two runs a game, with only seven homers for the season and no regular hitting above .271. But the Mustangs pounded four homers to none for ENMU, which entered with a .326 team average and 37 long ones.

"You just have to show up and show out every series," ENMU coach Amanda Fefel said. "Our bats went a little silent on us. You have to have everything firing on all cylinders."

Fefel said the Mustangs, now 27-12 all-time against ENMU, were generally the better team.

"Defensively, they were solid," she said. "They made all the right plays. We just have to come out and execute in every aspect of our game."

Sophomore Marissa Rodriguez (8-8), the reigning LSC pitcher of the week, was lifted after giving up a leadoff double to sophomore catcher Megan Ayala in the top of the fourth. Junior Jordan Rivera replaced Rodriguez and hit leadoff batter Kayla Bryant to force in a run with two out, then blanked the Mustangs the rest of the way.

With four series left, ENMU is off until a three-game midweek set at Texas Woman's April 9-10 before returning that weekend to host Oklahoma Christian.

Midwestern State 4-5, ENMU 2-9 (Thursday) – Lindemann carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning and struck out a season-high nine as the Mustangs rode a four-run fifth to victory in the opener.

With the game scoreless, MSU put together its rally with three hits and a two-out Hounds outfield error, which allowed the final two runs to score. Lindemann singled in the first run while Ayala's base hit made it 2-0.

The Hounds countered in the bottom of the sixth with run-scoring singles from Rodriguez and senior left fielder Cecy Jurado before Lindeman stranded the tying runs on a pop-up to the mound.

ENMU had runners at first and second with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but reliever Kennedy Cameron got an infield grounder and a fly ball to center to notch her first save.

Rodriguez went 6 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits with two walks and five strikeouts.

In Game 2, ENMU restored some order behind a 12-hit attack led by senior right fielder Mikenzey Patterson with 3-for-4, a triple, two runs scored and an RBI, and junior catcher Samantha Gutierrez, who drove in three runs with two doubles. Senior third baseman Alondra Vasquez, senior designated player Taighen Whitzel and sophomore second baseman Chanler Groves each added a pair of knocks.

Leading 4-3, the Hounds broke it open with a five-run sixth, with three scoring on Patterson's bunt single and a three-base throwing error on the play.

Junior right-hander Emma Southerland (8-8) tossed 126 pitches in going six-plus frames, allowing seven hits and five runs with three walks and six strikeouts. Rivera ended a two-run Mustangs rally by retiring the final three hitters, two on strikeouts.

Sophomore first baseman Allie Monroe whacked a pair of solo homers and freshman right fielder Paige Gallegos hit another for the Mustangs. Freshman right-hander Elizabeth Uhl (1-7), the second of four MSU hurlers, took the loss.