September 23, 1997
For Immediate Release
Contact: Judy Willson, SID
505.562.4309 or 356-4755
(Portales, N.M.) --- The spring sports teams at Eastern New Mexico University are using the fall portion of their seasons to gear up for the meat of their competition in the spring.
Women's Tennis (11-13 in 1997)
Sept. 28-30 Lone Star Conference Flighted Tournament TBA
University of Central Oklahoma, Edmond
The Zia tennis team finished the 1997 season with a #25 national ranking in NCAA Division II. Five players return for the 1997-98 season, including national ranked singles player Alejandra Sanchez-Miralles (Sr., Alicante, Spain) and her doubles partner, Julie Stiles (So., Roswell). Miralles finished the season #52 in singles and #29 in doubles with Stiles. Other returning players are Rozlyn Gorski (Jr., El Paso, Texas), Dena Boans (Jr., Carlsbad) and Robbie Jones (So., Portales).
Also returning for her senior season after taking a year off is Portales native Aimee Tarango. Tarango is one of three Tarango sisters that have played for head coach Christine Blaeser - Denise (1989-92) and Melissa (1992-95). Two freshmen join the squad this season, Betsy Cata (Santa Cruz) and Tawny Richard (Sequin, Wash.).
The Zias will compete with the other Lone Star Conference teams this weekend in a kickoff conference individual tournament. The format will be similar to Rolex regional and national competition with an open flight, A flight and B flight. The open flight will feature the #1 and #2 seeded players on each team. A will seed the #3 and #4 singles players, while B has the #5 and #6 players. There will also be three doubles flights.
Recently the Zias were named an All-Academic Team by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association for the 1997 season.
Softball (1-36 in 1997)
Sept. 27 Texas Tech Red Raider Invitational Lubbock, Texas
9:00 am vs. Ranger College (Purple)
11:00 am vs. Texas Tech (Red)
3:00 pm vs. Oklahoma University of Science & Arts
5:00 pm vs. Ranger College (White)
The Zia softball team, under head coach Hollie Chadwick, will get their second season of intercollegiate competition underway this weekend with some fall competition. ENMU will have the opportunity to play two different squads from Ranger Junior College, one Texas Tech squad and the team from University of Science & Arts in Oklahoma.
Back to lead the way on offense is All-Region selection Jennifer Doolittle. Doolittle, a senior from Aurora, Colorado, was a pitcher/first baseman for the Zias in their inaugural season. Doolittle was also a first team All-Lone Star Conference-South Division pick. This season she will be able to concentrate on her duties at first base and her hitting. Doolittle was the team leader in hitting (.427), runs (22), hits (44), doubles (11), triples (7), homeruns (7), slugging percentage (.874), stolen bases (13) and fielding percentage (.957). She only struck out 4 times in 103 at bats.
Doolittle is also joined by returning players Brandi Thomas, Angel Gutierrez, Mystee Sarracino, Katie Ellsworth, and Julie Smith. Sarracino, a junior from Hobbs, hit the Zias first home run of the season and was the starting catcher before a knee injury sidelined her two games into the season. Thomas, a senior from Clovis, will be able to return to the infield this season with the return of Sarracino. Thomas was the second leading hitter on the team at .271 and became the starting catcher when Sarracino went down. Gutierrez, a sophomore from Albuquerque, was the Zias' starting pitcher and got ENMU's lone win of the season. Ellsworth, a sophomore from Albuquerque, played second base and outfield last season. She moved to the outfield when Julie Smith, a sophomore from Albuquerque, joined the team following basketball season. Smith was an All-LSC selection at second base, as well as an Academic All-LSC honorable mention pick.
Baseball (19-34 in 1997)
The Greyhound baseball team, under head coach Phil Clabaugh, has reloaded for the 1998 season. The Greyhounds will spend the fall practicing and competing against themselves in the annual World Series played October 19-24 at Greyhound Field. Clabaugh has to replace nine seniors, including All-Region catcher Bryan Silva, All-Region first baseman Mike Dunstan, and Colorado Rockies draft pick Chris Price.
Back for his fourth-year at second base is Steven Heredia. Heredia (Las Cruces) played in 50 games for the Hounds last season, hitting .315 and stealing 16 bases.
On the pitching staff, the Hounds will get starter Greg Stimack back. Stimack (Lakewood, Colo.) suffered an elbow injury in his second appearance last year and spent the summer rehabilitating from surgery in the spring. Also having surgery this fall was 6-game winner Steve Hill (Clovis). Hill, a senior, will be questionable for the spring.