PORTALES, N.M. (April 1, 2026) - After sweeping three straight series, Texas Woman's softball team split its third series in a row, dropping game one against the Eastern New Mexico Greyhounds today 12-6, but rebounding with a 9-1 win in game two.
Mya Cherry worked the pitcher's circle for five innings for TWU (23-17, 17-9) but bore the brunt of the ENMU (15-16, 11-13) offensive output, allowing five runs on 10 hits. Home runs by Riley Todd and Lizzie Smith kept the Pioneers in the game, including Todd's, which began a four-run fourth inning to tie the game at 5-5. Smith's solo shot tied the game again in the sixth, but the Greyhounds scored twice in the bottom half of the inning, ultimately setting the final margin.
ENMU began game two where it left off, with a solo home run in the bottom of the second. TWU ace Randi Crawford, however, kept her composure, striking out eight batters and holding the Greyhounds in check. The Pioneers' offense came alive late, scoring five runs in the fifth inning and four in the sixth to secure the win. Hawwa Townsend homered in back-to-back series with a three-run shot that fueled the sixth-inning rally.
The Pioneers set new season highs during the series, recording 35 at-bats in game one and 15 hits in game two. The pair of home runs in game one marked the seventh time this season TWU hit multiple homers in a single game.
IMPACT PLAYERS (2 games)
PIONEER POWER MOMENTS
Game One (ENMU wins 12-6)
-
With a 3-1 count, Todd connected on the next pitch, sending the ball over the center-field wall for her fourth home run of the season.
-
Following a double steal that advanced runners to second and third, Townsend hit an 0-1 pitch into shallow right to score both, tying the game at 5-5 with a two-run double.
-
With two outs in the top of the sixth, Smith connected on the first pitch of her at-bat, sending it over the left-center field wall to tie the game at 6-6.
Game Two (TWU wins 9-1)
-
After a leadoff home run in the bottom of the second, Crawford recorded a flyout and her second and third strikeouts of the game, keeping the score at 1-0.
-
Following a double steal, Tamia Cherry hit a sac fly to the first-base side foul territory to tie the game at 1-1 in the top of the fifth.
-
Townsend singled to shallow left on an 0-1 pitch, scoring Espinoza from third and giving TWU its first lead of the game.
-
A throwing error by the ENMU shortstop with two outs resulted in two runs, extending the Pioneers' lead to 5-1.
-
With two strikes in her at-bat in the top of the sixth, Townsend homered to deep left field, driving in three runs and advancing the score to 8-1.
NEXT UP
TWU's road swing continues with a Friday afternoon series against top-ranked West Texas A&M in Canyon. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 4 p.m.
-PIONEERS-
