ENMU softball adds eight for 2017

Just before it ends its 2016 season, the Eastern New Mexico University softball team has eight players signed to national letters of intent for the 2017 season.

The announcement, made by university release, includes six junior college transfers and two high school players.

Transfers include Trinidad State catcher Courtney Vigil and infielder Samantha Glover, the Howard College trio of outfielders Kamalani Pekenu and Ashley Lopez and infielder Kylee Keller and Cuyahoga Community College pitcher Courtney Saville. High school seniors who signed are infielder Haley Johnston of Campo Verde High School in Gilbert, Arizona and outfielder Cameron Conrad of Byron-Nelson High School in Justin, Texas.

“I’m really excited about it,” said Greyhound coach Katie Welborn. “They bring a lot of versatility to our program.”

Welborn said the Howard College trio all stood out when she scouted them in a game against Texas Tech, and she had kept up with the Trinidad State players all season. Welborn said it wasn’t a goal to find players who were teammates before, but it doesn’t hurt.

“It’s not truly by design. It fell in that way. But you already have that bond, and you don’t have to build it again.”

Seville makes it two pitchers signed, and Welborn said she is working on a couple more.

“I’m very excited for next year,” Welborn said. “I can’t wait to see what we accomplish.”

The Greyhounds, who are 13-39 heading into their season-ending series this weekend at Tarleton State, graduate four players. Three of them — third baseman Morgan Greene, shortstop Susannah Chandler and catcher Kyra Sirag — are arguably the team’s top offensive threats, accounting for 170 of the team’s 435 hits and 111 of its 252 RBIs.

According to the release:

• Vigil is currently batting .404 with a .636 slugging percentage, nine homers, and 39 RBIs. Glover has batted .396 with a .575 slugging percentage, five homers, 37 RBIs and 10 walks. “Court and Sam will be such great additions to the program,” said Welborn. “They come from a great program and have had such success there, that I have no worries about them competing at this level. They are wonderful players and round out exactly what we needed for next year.”

• The trio of Pekenu, Keller, and Lopez helped the Hawks post a 33-13 record this season. Keller is batting .388 for the season with eight homers, 51 runs scored and 40 RBIs. Lopez is batting .347 for the Hawks with two doubles, two home runs and 29 RBIs. Pekenu is batting .281 for HC, with two doubles, a triple, a homer and 14 RBIs. “These three girls are game changers,” said Welborn. “They are automatic impact players and I expect them to come in and be that way right off the bat. Howard is such a great program and I am so blessed to have snagged a few of their girls. I can’t wait to have them next year.”

• Over 44 innings, Saville has fanned 50 batters, with just 16 walks, and no homers allowed. Saville currently has a 3.50 earned run average along with a .917 fielding percentage.

• In 27 games at Campo Verde High School. Johnston has posted a .412 batting average, with a .495 slugging percentage, 28 runs scored and 28 RBIs.

• Conrad was a First Team All-District 5-6A selection at Byron Nelson High School last season. Currently, the Bobcats boast a 14-9-1 record.