UT Permian Basin Softball's bats awoke in a big way in the first game of two on Saturday, dominating New Mexico Highlands 8-0. On the afternoon the Falcons (3-5) swatted three home runs, all the first of the year for
Jessica Gonzales,
Aracely Araiza, and
Marissa Salinas.
Marissa Salinas pitched a five inning gem allowing four hits and striking out five in the complete game shutout on just 49 pitches.
The Falcon bats got going early
Jessica Gonzales hit a three-run home run to left field in the top of the first to solidify an early 3-0 lead scoring
Alicia Marion and
Abby Hernandez. In the top of the second, Hernandez drove a run in on a hit by pitch scoring
April Arellano. The Falcons tacked on another run in the inning when
Nayeli Diaz sole home for a 5-0 lead. The Falcons added two more runs in the third. Marion reached base on a fielder's choice scoring
Aracely Araiza. Hernandez later singled down the left field line bringing in
Ruby Sanchez for a 7-0 Falcon lead after three innings. Araiza was the final score for the Falcons as she hit a solo home run to left in the fourth to give the Falcons the 8-0 victory, the first of her career.
After falling behind early in game two,
Jessica Gonzales reached on base on a ball hit to center field scoring
Valerie Gonzalez to trim the Chadron Statet lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the third. In the fourth, Salinas homered for the Falcons, but that was as close as the Falcons would get as the Eagles scored five runs in the fifth and four runs in the sixth to give them the 13-2 victory.
The Falcons smacked nine hits in the opener. Hernandez, Araiza and
April Arellano had two hits a piece. Gonzales led the way with three RBI with Hernandez adding two.
On the mound Salinas was dominant, allowing four hits scattered over five innings and struck out five before smacking her first home run in the second game. Araiza added a hit in the second game giving her three on the day.
The Falcons are back in action tomorrow as they take on Newman at 1 PM and Southern Nazarene at 3 PM.
