Saturday, February 06, 2010

SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - Kristen Cruickshank (Sr., P, Glendale, Ariz./Deer Valley HS) batted three-for-five over two games on Saturday, but the Eastern New Mexico University softball team (2-4) dropped a 7-4 decision to Midwestern State and a 3-2 contest to University of the Incarnate Word at the St. Mary's Classic at the San Antonio Independent School District Spring Sports Complex.

In the nightcap, the Zias snapped a scoreless tie when Alex Mayo Otis (Sr., DP, Phoenix, Ariz./St. Mary's HS) and Rebecca Quiñones (Sr., 2B, Gilbert, Ariz./Gilbert HS) led off the third inning with back-to-back doubles. After a Cruickshank single, Michelle Anderson (Sr., 3B, Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena HS) dropped a squeeze bunt to plate Quiñones for a 2-0 lead. The Cardinals responded with a two-run fourth to tie the game. Incarnate Word designated player, Lea Padilla hit a solo homerun to lead off the bottom sixth inning for the win.

Mayo Otis batter two-for four to record her third multiple-hit game in two days. Cruickshank batted two-for-three. Brittany Widner (Fr., P, Waxahachie, Texas/Maypearl HS) allowed two runs over four innings, while Amanda Lale (Fr., P, Phoenix, Ariz./St. Mary's HS) allowed three hits over two innings of relief.

In the opener, Midwestern State charged to a 6-0 lead over the first three innings, before Eastern could get on tack offensively. Cruickshank led off the fourth with a single and scored three batters later when Samantha Davis (So., C, Farmington, N.M./Farmington HS) drew a bases loaded walk. Mayo Otis pulled the Zias to within 6-2, when her fielder's choice ground ball allowed Melissa Williams (So., SS, Sierra Vista, Ariz./Buena HS) to sprint home from third base. The Mustangs added a seventh run in the top of the sixth, on Courtney Bingham's RBI double, but the Zias got the run back in the seventh, when Kandice Kaiser (Fr., 3B, Albuquerque, N.M./Eldorado HS) scored on Mayo Otis' fly ball to left field.

The Eastern New Mexico University softball team will conclude their participation in the St. Mary's Classic on Sunday morning, when they play Cameron University. Game time is scheduled for 9 a.m. MST.