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PORTALES – After only three batters, it couldn't have looked worse for Eastern New Mexico University's softball team.
A single, an error and Texas A&M International first baseman Tajanae Davis' three-run home run to straightaway center had the Greyhounds wondering what was going on.
Not to worry, though. Junior Emma Southerland quickly got her bearings, allowing only one hit and two more baserunners– and no one past first base – as the Hounds rallied for a 5-3 Lone Star Conference triumph.
After ENMU (14-10, 6-6) left the bases loaded in the bottom of the first, the Hounds scored single runs in each of the next five frames to post their first series win and just their third victory in 12 all-time meetings with the Dustdevils (9-14, 5-7).
Southerland (3-0), a junior college transfer, finished with five strikeouts and no walks in her second complete game of the season.
"She settled in," ENMU softball coach Amanda Fefel said of Southerland, a right-hander. "She just missed dead-middle to the three hole hitter (Davis)."
A fourth-inning error and a one-out single in the seventh were the only other baserunners against Southerland, who has helped provide support for senior right-hander Brook Leger, the team's top hurler.
"I was a little rattled, I'm not going to lie," Southerland said. "But I trust in my hitters. We chipped away at (the deficit), and that's all you can really ask."
ENMU outhit International 11-3, with senior right fielder Mikenzy Patterson, senior center fielder Azalea Martinez, sophomore left fielder Jennifer Gress and junior third baseman Katelyn Cifuentes all getting a pair of knocks. Cifuentes got the Hounds on the board with a two-out homer, her second, in the second inning and added a game-tying RBI single in the fourth.
Second baseman Edyn Lopez hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly in the fifth, and Martinez added an RBI single in the sixth.
Southerland said she never lost faith after the rocky start to the game.
"It was rough, but you can't let it affect you," she said. "I struck out the next girl, and I was OK."
It was a big win for the Hounds, pushing them a game ahead of the Dustdevils in the standings and giving them a potential tie-breaker for the LSC tournament in early May.
"I thought it was going to be our day," International coach Scott May said, referring to Davis' early blast. "You don't expect to get just one hit the rest of the way. I think their pitcher really settled in."
The Hounds stranded 10 runners in the game, including seven in scoring position.