PORTALES, N.M. – The University of Texas of the Permian Basin softball team split with Eastern New Mexico, winning the first game 5-4 before dropping the nightcap 9-1.
The Falcons picked up six hits, including a home run by
Angel Castro, her second of the season, and took advantage of two Zia errors in the first game.
Cene Padilla had two of the team's hits and picked up an RBI in the seventh inning which proved to be the game winner.
UTPB scored three runs in the top of the seventh to take a 5-1 lead, but the Zias picked up three runs off two hits while two Falcon errors led to two of the runs in their last at-bat to keep the game close.
Eastern New Mexico opened the scoring in the first when Taylor Howard singled up the middle to score Melanie Alderette, who led off the inning with a single down the left line.
The Falcons would tie the game in the fourth when Castro led off the frame with a homer to right center. They would take the lead for good in the fifth after
Tomie Ellard singled up the middle to plate
Alisha Carrasco, who reached on an infield single.
The score would remain that way until the seventh when
Courtney Cernoch and Padilla both drove in runs.
Desiree Valero picked up her seventh win of the season as she gave up one earned run off seven hits while striking out five.
In the second game, the Zias broke out with 10 hits including doubles by Paige Colburn and Devin Higgins, while Howard hit her eighth round tripper of the season.
Seven runs in the first two innings was more than enough for Brittany Widner, who held the Falcons to just one run off four hits. Four errors by the Falcons didn't help the cause as they moved to 13-20 on the year.
