Tuesday, March 22, 2016

LUBBOCK, TEXAS —Audrey Velasquez pounded out five hits and drove in three runs for the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (10-24) over Tuesday's doubleheader at Plains Capital Park. Lubbock Christian (30-7) withstood a number of Greyhound rallies to win the opener by an 18-13 score, and swept the doubleheader with a 10-0 win in the nightcap.

With hits in both games, Natasha Kissell extended her hit streak to four consecutive games. Lubbock Christian increased its win streak to 14 straight games and moved to 12-0 at home this season.

The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will return to action on Friday, to open a four-game series against Texas A&M-Kingsville. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. MT.

Game 1
In the opener, Eastern pounded out 14 hits and was led by a four-for-five performance at the plate from Velasquez. The Lady Chaps capitalized on three errors and nine walks to earn the win.

Lubbock Christian exploded for eight runs in the bottom of the first inning, but the Hounds immediately responded. ENMU sent eight batters to the plate in the top of the second inning and received two-run singles from both Mariah Rodriguez and Velasquez to pull within 8-4. A two-run homer from Morgan Colburn keyed a four-run third inning for LCU, but Eastern continued to rally. The Hounds capitalized on an error in the fourth, and used a two-run double from Kyra Sirag to close within 12-7.

A Greyhound error in the bottom of the frame led to six unearned runs, which ballooned LCU's lead to 18-7. Needing at least four runs in the top of the fifth to extend the contest, the Hounds plated six of their own, with a rally capped by an Erikka Burke grand slam.

Neither team scored in the sixth or seventh innings, and Lubbock Christian held on for the win.

Natasha Kissell allowed just one earned run over 3.2 innings of work, while Katera Eltsosie went the distance to earn the win for LCU. All nine starters for the Hounds registered at least one base hit.

Game 2
Lubbock Christian charged to a 7-0 lead over Eastern through the first four innings of the nightcap, and wrapped up the action with a three-run homer from Roxy Curiel. Susannah Chandler had a first-inning triple, while and Marleyna Piñon singled in the second frame.

NOTES
The opener saw Velasquez match a career high, with four hits. She also accomplished the feat this season against Midwestern State, and last season against Cameron. Today's performance was her most hits in a game away from Greyhound Softball Field.

Burke's grand slam was ENMU's third of the season, as Simone Laurenz had one against Oklahoma Panhandle and Kiana Zerr had one at Angelo State. The last time Eastern had three grand slams in a season was 2013 (Sirag, Central Okla.; Erica Armendarez, Southwest; and Piñon, Midwestern State)