Athletic Report
April 15, 2000

JENNIFER HARRER EARNS TWO VICTORIES
AS ZIAS SWEEP DOUBLE-HEADER FROM TWU
PORTALES, NM — Junior pitcher Jennifer Harrer (Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) recorded two pitching victories — one as a starter and one in relief — to lead Eastern New Mexico University to a double-header sweep of Lone Star Conference opponent Texas Woman’s University, Saturday, Apr. 15 at Zia Softball Field. ENMU won the first game 3-2, then completed the sweep with a 4-1 win in the second game.

ENMU improved to 23-21 overall and 4-6 in the LSC South. TWU dropped to 24-14, 6-6 in the LSC South.

Harrer started for ENMU in the first game. She earned a complete-game victory and held the Pioneers scoreless over the first six innings. She nearly concluded the game with a shutout, but a controversial call at first base with two outs in the seventh inning allowed two runners to score.

Even so, Harrer finished the game with 8 strikeouts and no walks. ENMU took an early 1-0 lead in the opener. Rachel Mohler (So., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/ Green Valley H.S.), batting second in the first inning, hit a solo homer for the Zias. It was her 9th home run of the season, tying her own ENMU record, set last year.

The Zias added two insurance runs in the sixth inning. Sarah Rempp (Jr., SS, Greeley, CO/Central H.S.) singled and Enida Rosales (Sr., 2B, Glendale, AZ/South Mountain College) doubled to start the inning. Natalie Barela (Sr., DP, Tempe, AZ/Phoenix College) drove in Rempp with a bunt single, and Dawn Hunt (Fr., 1B, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) brought home Rosales with a sacrifice fly to center field.

TWU started a comeback in the seventh inning. Monica Romero doubled with one out, and Sheila Sterling followed with a single. Romero and Sterling advanced one base on a passed ball, placing runners at second and third. After Cathy Jacobson struck out, Kim Deaton hit the ball between first and second. Rosales caught the ball and threw to first, where Deaton tripped over Hunt’s foot as she touched the base. Deaton was ruled safe, and both runners scored. Harrer ended the game by forcing a ground out. Mohler and Rosales were both 2 for 3 for ENMU.

The Pioneers were led by Romero, who was 2 for 3, and by Sterling, who went 2 for 2. Adrienne Conner (Sr., P, Prescott, AZ/Glendale College) started the second game for ENMU. She allowed just 3 hits in 2 1/3 innings, but was suffering from shoulder pain and was relieved by Harrer, who entered the game with runners at second and third. Romero singled to score Stacy Sowder with the game’s first run, but was later thrown out attempting to steal second. A ground out by Nickie Engelbrecht ended the inning.

The Zias tied the game in the fifth inning, and moved ahead in the sixth. Junior catcher Rachel Valenzuela singled with two outs in the fifth. She eventually scored on a wild pitch. In the sixth, the Zias received an RBI-single from Barela and a 2-RBI triple from junior left fielder Suzy Seitzinger (Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.). Rosales, pinch-runner Crystale Moore (Fr., Albuquerque, NM/Manzano H.S.) and Rempp scored during the inning.

Harrer allowed just 2 hits in relief. She also registered 4 strikeouts and allowed just 1 walk. She concluded the double-header with a 9-8 record for the season.

In the second game, ENMU outhit TWU, 7-5. The Zias’ hits came from seven different players. TWU was led by Romero and Leslie Roddy, who both earned 2 hits in 3 at bats. TWU’s Angela Burns (11-8) was the losing pitcher in the second game. Blaire Beaty (13-6) took the loss in the opener.

The Zias and Pioneers are slated to play another LSC South double-header on Sunday (Apr. 16). First pitch in the opening game is set for 12:00 noon (MDT). ENMU needs a sweep of Sunday’s double-header to reach the .500 mark in conference play.