Midwestern State defeated Eastern New Mexico in an 11-inning marathon, 6-5, to take the first game of a doubleheader at Mustangs Park on Thursday afternoon. The Greyhounds prevailed in the nightcap, 7-3, as the Mustangs committed four errors.
Madisen Mann delivered a two-out base hit and drove home
Grace Martinez with the winning run in the 11th inning as Midwestern State won for the fourth time in six games and celebrated a third consecutive home victory.
The 11th inning affair matched the record for the longest game in Midwestern State history. It was the first 11-inning game since a 1-0 win over Northeastern State in April of 2007.
Martinez led off the inning with a single and stole second. Martinez advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher.
Sydney Shimkus reached with a walk, but when
Jessika Roberts flew out to center, Shimkus failed to touch second base while returning to first base and was called out.
Marrissa Rodriguez worked the final 10 1/3 innings for the Greyhounds but took the loss when Mann smashed her 2-0 pitch up the middle to score Martinez. Rodriguez allowed two runs on eight hits in relief of Brook Leger.
Leger lasted just 1/3 of an inning but walked five of the eight batters she faced. The Mustangs scored four runs in the first inning after falling behind 3-0.
Christine Billmeier issued two bases-loaded walks in the first inning and Aylene Lucero delivered an RBI single for ENMU. Billmeier worked 8 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on 10 hits with four walks and three strikeouts.
Kennedy Cameron got the final seven outs and picked up the win in relief, striking out four Greyhounds and allowing one hit. Kennedy improved 3-8 on the season.
Torianna Borunda reached on a bunt single in the sixth inning and advanced on Jokaira Paredes bunt single. Rodriguez advanced the runners with a sacrifice bunt, and Borunda scored from third when Kianna Galindo grounded into a fielder's choice, and the game was tied, 4-4.
The Greyhounds broke the tie with an Alondra Vasquez home run to left field in the ninth inning, but the Mustangs answered.
Allie Monroe drove home Mann from first with a double to left field to tie the game, 5-5.
It was the seventh double and the 11th RBI for Monroe as the Mustangs extended the game. Monroe finished the doubleheader with three hits in seven at bats.
Midwestern State took a 2-0 in the first inning of the nightcap as Shimkus scored on a passed ball and
Payton Griffin drove in Roberts with a sacrifice fly to left field.
A Shimkus throwing error at third base allowed the Greyhounds to score their first run in the second inning.
In the fourth inning, ENMU scored three runs on three hits and took advantage of a throwing error to take a 4-2 lead. Galindo and Emma Southerland drove home runs in the sixth inning, and pinch hitter Taylor Harrison scored on a throwing error in the seventh inning as the Greyhounds added an insurance run.
Southerland pitched seven innings for ENMU and improved to 6-4 on the season. The sophomore from Graham, Texas, allowed three runs on 10 hits. She walked only two and struck four in the victory.
Cameron started the nightcap for MSU and faced seven batters through two innings. Cameron walked four and allowed one run. The Greyhounds did not get a hit off Cameron in the first two innings of the game.
Sydney Gonzales allowed three runs on four hits in 1 2/3 innings and took the loss for the Mustangs. Gonzales faced 11 batters and fell to 1-6 on the season.
Levi Luna closed the game, allowing three earned runs on six hits through 3 1/3 innings.
Midwestern State is 7-31 overall with a 6-23 record in the Lone Star Conference. ENMU improved to 21-23 overall and 13-19 in conference play.
The rubber game of the series is scheduled for 1 p.m. Friday at Mustangs Park.
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-- MSUMustangs.com --
