Saturday, March 26, 2016

PORTALES, N.M. — Simone Laurenz batted four-for-four, but the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (10-28; LSC 3-17) dropped its series finale to Texas A&M-Kingsville by a 19-17 score. The Javelinas (14-19; LSC 6-10) claimed the first game of the Lone Star Conference doubleheader by an 11-2 score at Greyhound Softball Field.

The 36 combined runs in the nightcap marked the highest scoring game in ENMU history, and surpassed the 33 combined in a game against Abilene Christian, on March 11, 2011. Kyra Sirag hit safely in both games to extend her hit streak to six games, while Susannah Chandler has reached base safely in seven straight games.

"I think the last game put our hitters in a good mindset," said head coach Katie Welborn. "Our hitters know what they need to do to maintain and stay competitive."

The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will visit New Mexico Highlands in non-conference action on Wednesday. The first game of the doubleheader will begin at noon.

Game 2
After scoring eight runs on 23 hits over the first three games of the series, the Hounds set season highs in both categories with 17 runs on 21 base hits. Laurenz led the way with four hits, while Audrey Velasquez, Sirag, and Morgan Green, had three apiece. Sirag finished the contest with a career-high six runs batted it, which included a second-inning grand slam.

A three-run homer by Rocky Chapa followed by a solo blast from Rachael Longoria staked the Javelinas to a 4-0 lead. After Texas A&M-Kingsville added a fifth run in the second inning, the Greyhounds exploded offensively. Eastern sent 11 batters to the plate in the inning and scored eight runs on seven hits. ENMU trailed 5-4 when Sirag drove a 1-2 offering from relief pitcher Karri Smith over the centerfield wall for an 8-5 lead.

The Javelinas responded with five runs of their own in the top of the third, and seized a 10-8 advantage on a two-run double from Victoria Schoonard-Savorio. The Greyhounds were up for the shootout and plated four more runs in the bottom of the inning, to take a 12-10 lead on a two-run single from Sirag, down the left field line.

Alexei Gonzalez cut TAMUK's deficit in half with a solo homer in the fourth inning, and the Javelinas took the lead with a four-run fifth inning. Eastern sent nine batters to the plate in the bottom of the fifth and had four singles sandwiched around walks to Kailee Ramirez and Laurenz. The Hounds scored four in the frame to seize a 16-15 lead. Texas A&M-Kingsville responded with three runs in the sixth inning to take the lead for good. A solo shot from Velasquez was ENMU's final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Velasquez finished the game three-for-four, and credited her success to a more aggressive approach. "I feel like I took less pitches," she said. "When I saw a good pitch, I jumped on it."

Texas A&M-Kingsville used four pitchers, before they settled on Carlie Clark for the final 2.2 innings. She allowed one run on four hits in picking up her sixth win. Eastern used four pitchers as well, with Erikka Burke allowing just one run on two hits over the final 1.2 innings.

Game 1
In the opener, Texas A&M-Kingsville scored twice in the first inning and tacked on a three runs in the second for a 5-0 lead. The Javelinas managed just one baserunner in the third and fourth innings on a walk, but exploded for six runs in the fifth frame. ENMU loaded the bases with one out in the fifth, and scored on ground balls from Green and Marleyna Piñon.

Velasquez batted two-for-three, while Chandler, Piñon, and Laurenz also had hits for Eastern. Clark pitched all five innings for the Javelinas and earned the win, while Lauren Oatman drove in five runs,

NOTES
The highest scoring win by Eastern was a 28-0 decision against University of the Southwest on February 6, 2008

With four hits today, Sirag has 207 for her career, one away from fourth on the career list, held by Kim Paschall.

Sirag's grand slam was Eastern's fourth of the season, breaking the previous record of three (2013, 2012, 2007, 2006). Erikka Burke (vs LCU), Kiana Zerr (at ASU), and Laurenz (vs OPSU) had the other three, this season.