PORTALES, N.M. (April 21, 2012) — The Aggies won the game they needed, defeating Eastern New Mexico 5-3 on Saturday, securing a trip to the Lone Star Conference Tournament. The win moved CU’s record to 17-31, with an 8-19 conference record.

“We got some clutch hits for sure today,” said Head Coach Beth Watson, “Drew (Wright) had a great day at the plate. Amanda Karth also did a really nice job. Really, one through nine had great at bats. We applied more pressure today than we did yesterday. We hit the ball hard and pressured the defense.”

The Zias scored first, getting to CU starter Kelsy Hebert for one run in the second inning. But the Black and Gold responded in the third with two runs of their own, highlighted by an RBI fielder’s choice by Tara Martini and a solo homerun by Micah Foutch.

Following the run in the second inning, Watson made a pitching change with the hopes of keeping ENMU off balance.

“We started Kelsy (Hebert), but I told each of our pitchers that everyone needed to be ready to go,” she said. “Kelsy pitched well, but we made the change to Cheyenne, and she did a great job of getting ground balls. It was all good.”

Cameron added to its lead in the 5th inning, scoring two runs to take a 4-1 lead. Claren Hurlbut picked up the first RBI, scoring Tiffany Freeman and moving Misty Dooley to third base on a sacrifice bunt. Wright followed with an RBI double to the gap in left center for her second RBI of the game, scoring Dooley.

The Aggies added an insurance run in the 6th inning, as Karth came around to score on a single by Micah Foutch.

The Zias added two runs off Brown in the sixth and seventh, but failed to mount a comeback.

With the win, the Aggies secure the eighth and final playoff spot.

“That was our goal from day one,” Watson said. “We didn’t go about it the way I would have liked … but with backs against the wall came through.”

The tournament will take place April 27-28 in San Angelo, Texas.

For more information on the softball team, visit www.cameronaggies.com.