PORTALES, N.M. – West Texas A&M softball split with Eastern New Mexico on Saturday afternoon to close out the regular season before postseason play.   The Lady Buffs finish the regular season 28-15 and 17-13 in conference play while ENMU finishes 18-30 (9-21 LSC). 
 
THE BASICS
Game 42 Score: Eastern New Mexico 3, West Texas A&M 2
Pitching: (W) Brook Leger (11-14); (L) Heidi Vortherms (12-7)
 
The Greyhounds jumped out to 2-0 lead through the first two innings as Azalea Martinez doubled down the left field line before coming around the bases on a fielder's choice.  The second run would cross the plate with Mackenzie Shaw's single past the mound.  
 
Brittny Rufus bunted down to third, beating out the throw to first to record the Lady Buffs first hit of the game before she stole second.  Ruby Salzman added to the hit count when the junior hit an RBI single up the middle to bring home Rufus to cut the lead, 2-1.  ENMU quickly responded in the bottom of the inning with Jokaira Paredes RBI single.
 
In the top of the sixth, Diana Murtha doubled into left center before coming around the bases on an RBI single by Madison Johnson.  WT held the Greyhounds in the sixth but a double play in the top of seventh shut down the Lady Buffs offense 1-2-3. 
 
ENMU outhit the Lady Buffs 6-5 with Murtha earning a pair of hits.  Brook Leger (11-14) was rewarded the victory allowing both earned runs on five hits with one wild pitch and four strikeouts.  Heidi Vortherms (12-7) received the loss allowing three earned runs with six hits, two walks, and four strikeouts.
 
THE BASICS
Game 42 Score: West Texas A&M 7, Eastern New Mexico 1
Pitching: (W) Emilee Wilson (8-3), Lisette Urquidez (2-8)
 
The Lady Buffs came back scoring early and often as they led off the first with a trio of runs.  Brittni Rufus tripled down the right field line before easily scoring on a fielding error at first.  Diana Murtha doubled into right field to move runners into scoring position to bring Madison Johnson to the plate.  Johnson ripped a two RBI double into left field to make it 3-0 in favor of WT.
 
With one out, Ruby Salzman led off the second with a double down the left field line before Nikki Warren singled to the mound to make it a first and third situation.  Warren stole second to move up 60-feet for Salzman to score on the throw.  Murtha put her second double of the day down the left field line to bring in Warren before Johnson launched her seventh home run of the season into center field to make it a 7-0 ball game. 
 
The Greyhounds ended the shutout in the sixth as Jokaira Paredes hit an RBI single up the middle to make it 7-1 but relief pitcher Kyra Lair forced a popup to end the threat.  
 
Emilee Wilson (8-3) was credited the victory allowing just two hits through five complete innings.  Five pitchers saw action on the mound for the Greyhounds with Lisette Urquidez (2-8) receiving the loss.  The freshman tossed 1/3 inning allowing three runs (two earned) with two hits.