Athletic Report
April 16, 2000

RACHEL MOHLER BREAKS HOME RUN RECORD
AS ZIAS SPLIT WITH PIONEERS
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University sophomore third baseman Rachel Mohler (Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) hit a homer in both games, as the Zias split a Lone Star Conference double-header with Texas Woman’s University, Apr. 16 at the Zia Softball Field. Mohler’s 2-run homer in the 5th inning of the second game was the winning hit in a 3-2 ENMU victory. TWU won the opener 10-8.

Mohler has hit 11 home runs this season, breaking the previous ENMU record of 9, which she set last season. Mohler was 3 for 7 with 3 runs and 4 RBIs in the double-header. ENMU is 24-22, including 5-7 in the LSC South. The Zias must win at least 3 of 4 games at Abilene Christian next weekend to secure one of three LSC Tournament berths from the South Division. TWU is 25-15 overall and has completed LSC play with a 7-7 record. If ENMU finishes 8-8, the Zias will own the tie-breaker with TWU (3 wins in 4 head-to-head games).

Mohler’s home run to right center field completed a comeback by the Zias in the second game. ENMU trailed 2-0 after three innings, but scored once in the fourth, and moved in front on Mohler’s homer in the fifth.

TWU took an early 1-0 lead when Cathy Jacobson singled in the first inning, stole second and third, and scored on a double by Nickie Engelbrecht. The Pioneers added a run in the third, as Engelbrecht hit the ball over the right field fence for her first homer of the season.

ENMU’s fourth-inning run was scored with two outs. Dawn Hunt (Fr., 1B, Carlsbad, NM/ Carlsbad H.S.) doubled to left field, then Rachel Valenzuela (Jr., C, Mesa, AZ/South Mountain C.C.) drove her home with a single to right. Mohler’s winning homer also scored Kim Paschall (Jr., CF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.), who opened the inning with a single. Mohler was 2 for 4 in the game. Hunt and Valenzuela were both 2 for 3. TWU’s top hitter was Engelbrecht, who went 2 for 4.

ENMU starting pitcher Adrienne Conner (Sr., P, Prescott, AZ/Glendale College) picked up the win, while reliever Jennifer Harrer (Jr., Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) pitched the final 1 2/3 innings to earn her first save of the year. Conner and Harrer combined for 9 strikeouts, while allowing just 1 walk.

In the opener, ENMU committed 3 errors and TWU scored 5 unearned runs — 4 in the first 3 innings — as the Pioneers outscored the Zias. TWU broke a 6-6 tie with four runs in the fourth, then held off the Zias, who cut the deficit to two with a pair of runs in the fifth.

The TWU fourth inning included doubles by Michelle Martin and Leslie Roddy. Monica Romero hit a 2-run single, and Roddy’s double also drove in a run. Romero scored the other run on a passed ball.

ENMU outhit TWU 11-10 during the game. The contest lasted 2 hours and 45 minutes, and included 8 doubles and 3 homers.

Although ENMU lost the game, all three homers were hit by ENMU players. Mohler blasted a 2-run homer in her first at bat. Kristy Jones (Fr., RF, Artesia, NM/New Mexico State) and Enida Rosales (Sr., 2B, Glendale, AZ/South Mountain College) each hit her first home run of the season in the third inning, helping ENMU score 4 runs to erase a 6-2 deficit.

Both homers in the third inning went over the center field fence. The homer by Rosales drove in 3 runs and tied the game.

ENMU received 2 hits apiece from Paschall, Rosales and Hunt. Sheila Sterling, Jacobson and Engelbrecht each provided 2 hits for the Pioneers. Blaire Beaty of TWU was the winning pitcher, and improved to 14-6 on the season. Suzy Seitzinger (4-5), who pitched 2/3 of an inning in the fourth, suffered the loss.

The Zias and Abilene Christian will open their LSC series with a double-header on Friday, Apr. 21. Game time in Abilene, Texas is set for 12:00 noon (MDT). The Zias and the Wildcats will also play two games on Saturday, Apr. 22, starting at 11:00 a.m. (MDT).