PORTALES, N.M. – St. Edward's softball surrendered big innings again in a 15-5 loss to Eastern New Mexico to close its three-game road trip. 
 
St. Edward's struck first with a two-RBI double to left center from MEGAN MORRIS, scoring LAUREN HOYT and JERZIE PELHAM, who opened the inning with back-to-back singles. 
 
Eastern New Mexico answered immediately with another big inning, scoring seven runs. Osuna led off with a walk, followed by Contreras reaching on a sacrifice bunt attempt that turned into a fielder's choice with both runners safe. Groves followed with another bunt, loading the bases on a fielding error. Patterson plated a run with a walk, then Vasquez cleared the bases with a three-RBI double to right field. 
 
The Hilltoppers turned to the bullpen, replacing KYLEN PADGETT with LISETTE URQUIDEZ, who surrendered a single and three-run blast by Gutierrez before getting out of the inning. 
 
St. Edward's rallied with two outs in the top of the third inning, loading the bases with singles from SLOANE HILL and JERZIE PELHAM and a pitch hitting LAUREN HOYT. Hill scored on a throwing error from the catcher, and Morris hit a two-RBI double that bounced over the fence.
 
Eastern New Mexico answered immediately with a two-RBI double from Vaquez and an RBI single from Gutierrez in the bottom of the inning. The Greyhounds added five more in the fourth, taking advantage of two St. Edward's errors and Gutierrez's second home run. St. Edward's went down in order in the fifth to end the game. 
 
Pelham and Morris led St. Edward's with two hits each. Morris had three RBIs with the two doubles, and Pelham scored two runs. 
 
St. Edward's drops to 4-14 with a 2-7 conference record. The Hilltoppers will return to Texas but remain on the road for a three-game series against St. Mary's in San Antonio starting Tuesday.