The NMHU Cowgirls lost both games of their second double header against the University of Nebraska-Kearney, on 4/23. The Highlight of the day was senior day for the Cowgirls, and the team acknowledged the contributions of four seniors that will be playing their last few games of their careers.
Ashley Paiz,
Natasha Reyes,
Samantha Butler, and
Amanda Beauchamp were all given a farewell send off at their last home game as a Cowgirl, each player received a bouquet of flowers at home plate from Head Coach Shellie Broyles as well as the applause of the home crowd. Coach Broyles also choose to acknowledge the seniors from the Lopers' team who were honored at the ceremony. In game one, the Cowgirls scored a run in the first inning, and carried the 1-0 lead through until the seventh inning. In the top of the seventh, UNK hit a two run home run to take the lead 2-1. The Cowgirls could not come up with an answer in the final inning and the Lopers ended up winning the game by the final score of 2-1. In game two, the Lopers got off to a big lead, scoring 10 runs in the top of the first inning. The Cowgirls were able to close the gap with three runs until UNK threw up four more runs in the fourth inning. The Lopers offense proved to be too much for the Cowgirls in the game and UNK came away with the victory, 17-8 in five innings. With the conference losses against UNK the Cowgirls, led by Head Coach Shellie Broyles, fall to a 6-30 record in the RMAC and 10-39 in overall play.
Melissa Martinez (6-24) was the losing pitcher in game one, despite carrying the 1-0 lead all the way into the top of the seventh inning. She threw a complete seven innings from the pitcher's circle, faced 28 batters, and allowed two runs on five hits. Martinez held the Lopers scoreless for six innings, struck out six batters, and walked one in the game.
The Cowgirls struggled at the plate in game one, only able to muster a .154 team batting average in a pitcher's duel.
Samantha Butler and
Roxanne Avalos were the offensive producers for the Cowgirls in game one. Butler started the game off with a triple to left field and ended up scoring off of Avalos' RBI single. Both Cowgirls finished the game 1-3 at the plate.
Ashley Paiz (4-14) was credited with the loss in game two of the double header. She threw two and a third innings from the pitcher's circle, faced 25 batters, and allowed 14 runs on only 12 hits. Paiz is credited with eight earned runs, struck out four batters, and walked three in the loss.
Melissa Martinez was brought in to relieve Paiz in the third inning. Martinez pitched two and two-thirds innings from the pitcher's circle, faced 13 batters, and allowed three runs on five hits. She struck out three Lopers and is credited with only two earned runs in the relief appearance in game two.
The Cowgirls offense hit well in game two, combining for a .464 team batting average, but were too far behind to catch up in the game. Four Cowgirls were perfect at the plate in game two.
Ashley Paiz,
Samantha Butler,
Amanda Beauchamp, and
Melissa Martinez were the offensive leaders for the Cowgirls. Paiz was 4-4 at the plate, with an RBI, one run scored, and a triple. Butler was 2-2 at the plate with a walk and a sacrifice fly. She had three RBIs and scored one run. Beauchamp was also 2-2 at the plate with one walk, and reached base once after being hit by a pitch. She had a double, a two run home run, and ended the game with two RBIs and three runs scored. Martinez was 2-2 at the plate with one run scored.
The NMHU Cowgirls will continue conference action on the road against Regis University, on 4/30-5/1, in their last series of the season. The Cowgirls travel to Denver, Colo., to meet a Rangers team that is ranked third in the RMAC East division, with an 18-16 conference record and 24-21 in overall play. The first game on Saturday, 4/30, is set to begin at 12pm. Sunday's game, on 5/1, will begin at 11am. Game two of both double headers will begin shortly after the completion of game one.
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HERE For Complete Game One Stats
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HERE For Complete Game Two Stats
GO COWGIRLS!!!
