Athletic Report
April 21, 2000

ZIAS LOSE PAIR OF 1-RUN GAMES TO WILDCATS
ACU Wins First Game in 9 Innings
ABILENE, TX — Abilene Christian University slipped past Eastern New Mexico University in both games of a Lone Star Conference double-header, Friday, Apr. 21, winning the first game 6-5 in 9 innings, then taking the second game 7-6. The wins improved ACU to 25-28 overall and 8-6 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 24-24, 5-9 in the LSC South. The pair of one-run losses eliminated the Zias from qualifying for the LSC Tournament.

ENMU entered the four-game weekend series at ACU needing to win 3 of 4 games. The first game of the series was a lengthy battle (2 hrs., 50 min.). ENMU led 4-1 in the top of the sixth inning, but ACU rallied with a run in the bottom of the sixth and two runs in the seventh.

Neither team scored in the eight, but ENMU tallied a single run in the top of the ninth. The Wildcats scored twice in the bottom of the inning to earn the victory. Lynee Velasco scored on a squeeze bunt by Kristina Bell in the second inning to give ACU a 1-0 lead.

The Zias, scoreless through four innings, took a 2-1 lead in the fifth on a home run by freshman first baseman Dawn Hunt (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.). It was Hunt’s first home run at ENMU. Natalie Barela (Sr., DP, Tempe, AZ/Phoenix College) also scored on the play. The Zias also scored two times in the sixth inning. Sarah Rempp (Jr., SS, Greeley, CO/ Central H.S.) and Barela each hit an RBI single during the inning. Rachel Mohler (So., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) and Rempp scored the runs.

Amanda Cobb of ACU hit an RBI double in the sixth to cut the Wildcats’ deficit to two runs. ACU tied the game in the seventh, as Theressa Johnson drove in Bell and Hilary Heuerman.

The game entered extra innings tied, 4-4. Two errors hurt ACU in the top of the ninth. First, Kim Paschall (Jr., CF, Midland, TX/ Midland H.S.) benefited from a 3-base throwing error by the pitcher. Mohler also reached on an error, as Paschall scored for a 5-4 ENMU lead.

Maurine McWilliams began the ACU half of the ninth with a double, then scored when Alicia Ortiz hit into another 3-base error. Ortiz scored the winning run on a single by Velasco. Barela was 3 for 4 in the opener for the Zias, while Hunt finished 2 for 4. ACU held a 9-8 edge in hits, led by Johnson, Cobb and Bell with 2 hits apiece. McWilliams (9-9) was the winning pitcher.

Adrienne Conner (Sr., RHP, Prescott, AZ/Glendale College) fell to 8-10 with the loss. In the second game, ENMU raced out to a 4-0 lead. The Zias recorded 5 hits in the first inning, as Paschall, Enida Rosales (Sr., 2B, Glendale, AZ/South Mountain College), Nicole Archibeque (Fr., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Valley H.S.) and Suzy Seitzinger (Jr., RF, Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.) each scored a run. Rosales and Barela both hit an RBI single, and Hunt drove in the final two runs with a double.

Amanda Cobb hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first, but Rosales answered with another RBI single in the top of the second. ENMU led 5-1 after an inning and a half. ACU tied the game with 4 runs in the third.

The Wildcats had just 3 hits (all singles), but added a walk by Betsy Paxton, a sacrifice bunt by McWilliams and a sacrifice fly by Bell. The Zias regained the lead, 6-5, in the top of the fourth inning. Rachel Valenzuela (Jr., C, Mesa, AZ/South Mountain College) started the inning with a single.

One out later, Paschall hit a sacrifice bunt to first base, moving Valenzuela to second. Mohler batted next, and drove Valenzuela home with a double. Two walks loaded the bases, but a pop-up ended the rally.

Relief pitcher Misty Berry (6-3) earned the victory by shutting out Eastern and allowing just one hit over the final three innings. Jennifer Harrer (Jr., RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.), who pitched the last four innings for ENNU, fell to 9-9 with the loss. The Wildcats struck quickly in the bottom of the seventh. Johnson hit a double, then Velasco blasted a home run, giving ACU the win.

Mohler led all batters with 3 hits in 4 at bats. She also scored a run and earned an RBI. Rosales was 2 for 3 with 2 RBIs and a run scored. Velasco was 2 for 3 for Abilene, with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Cobb and Jamie Olsen were also 2 for 3 for ACU.

The Zias and the Wildcats play another double-header on Saturday, Apr. 22. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. (MDT). If the Zias sweep, they will earn the first winning record in the young program’s four-year history. If ENMU splits, the Zias will end the year with their first ever .500 record.