Texas Woman's edges Zias in opener, claims sweep

CMI staff

Eastern New Mexico University’s softball team came within two innings of extending its winning streak to three games, but left Friday afternoon with a two-game losing skid instead.

Visiting Texas Woman’s rallied for two runs in the sixth to take a 4-3 lead, then took a 5-4 win when leftfielder Tealey Farquhar homered on the first pitch of the seventh inning to open a Lone Star Conference doubleheader at Zia Field.

The Pioneers (22-12, 8-7 LSC) claimed a 14-2 win in the nightcap, with the contest called after five innings on the run rule.

In their first game since sweeping Oklahoma Panhandle State on Tuesday, the Zias (9-25, 1-13 LSC) took their first lead with an RBI double by catcher Aurelia Sandoval.

After Texas Woman’s took the lead again on a wild pitch in the sixth, the Zias struck in the bottom of the inning to knot it up with an RBI single by Amanda Martinez. An attempt to score the go-ahead run was extinguished when Elizabeth Velasquez was thrown out at home on a fielder’s choice, and the Zias left the bases loaded with a groundout by shortstop Audrey Velasquez.

Brandie Lander picked up the complete-game win, allowing four runs on 10 hits. Freshman Caitlin Garmon (5-13) allowed five runs — three earned — on eight hits.

In the nightcap, Texas Woman’s pitcher Katie Hines helped her own cause twice — first with a three-run shot as part of a six-run second, and later with a two-run single as part of a five-run third.

Hines allowed two runs — both coming in the first on RBI singles from Sandoval and Audrey Velasquez — on eight hits in the abbreviated complete-game victory. For the Zias, starter Vanessa Ramirez was knocked out of the game in the second inning after allowing seven runs — two earned — on six hits.

Alyssa Galaz also homered and had five RBIs for the Pioneers.

The teams close out the four-game set with a noon doubleheader today.