ENMU softball takes two at St. Mary's Classic

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University's softball team found just enough offense Saturday in San Antonio to top .500 for the first time in its early season.

Designated hitter Elena Garcia went 2-for-3 with a pair of run-scoring doubles, including the game-tyer with two outs in the seventh, then scored the winning run on Karina Moreno's single to end a 5-4 comeback win over California University of Pennsylvania to close out a perfect day at the San Antonio St. Mary's Classic.

The Greyhounds (5-4), who will end the tournament 9 a.m. today against St. Mary's, took their opening game 2-0 over Fort Hays.

Eastern trailed 4-1 after three, but chipped away with two runs off a Garcia double in the fifth before unloading for three hits in the seventh off reliever Taylor Robblee.

The Vulcans loaded the bases against Leslie Reyes (3-3) in the third inning, and capitalized on a two-run double by Carlee Wickstrom and a two-run single by Jacquelyn Fowler.

Eastern had led early, thanks to Erikka Burke's solo shot with one out in the first. The homer was Burke's sixth of the season and 25th in her ENMU career, four shots behind Kristen Cruickshank on the career list.

In Saturday's early game, Reyes took a pitcher's duel as her offense capitalized on timely hits in the fourth inning.

Reyes went the full seven for the Greyhounds, with four strikeouts and just four baserunners. She walked one and allowed three hits before retiring the final 10 hitters, with no Fort Hays baserunner getting past second.

The Greyhounds posted the game's only scoring on three extra-base hits - consecutive doubles by Moreno, Burke and Samantha Brockman to lead off the fourth inning.

Eastern didn't do much else against starter Hailey Chapman (0-3), going down 1-2-3 in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings. The Greyhounds did threaten in the sixth on a one-out double by Burke, but pinch runner Kayla Marshall was caught stealing at home to end that inning.

Chapman walked none and struck out seven for Fort Hays (1-5).

Burke and Fort Hays' Candace Boling each led their teams with 2-for-3 days at the plate.