Athletic Report
March 25, 2000

CONNER, HARRER COMBINE FOR SHUTOUT
Rachel Mohler Hits 2 Homers, 2 Doubles for ENMU
PORTALES, NM — Senior pitcher Adrienne Conner (Prescott, AZ/Glendale College) and junior pitcher Jennifer Harrer (Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) combined to shut out Tarleton State University, 6-0, in the second game, as Eastern New Mexico University split a double-header with the TexAnns, Mar. 24 at Zia Softball Field. Tarleton State won the first game, 6-4, as Heather Brown went 4 for 4 at the plate.

The double-header opened Lone Star Conference play for both teams. ENMU heads into tomorrow’s second double-header against TSU (Mar. 25, 12:00 noon MST) with a 19-17 overall record, 1-1 in the LSC South. Tarleton State is 26-13 overall, 1-1 in the LSC South.

ENMU sophomore third baseman Rachel Mohler (Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) hit a home run in both games, giving her 8 homers for the season. She belted a 3-run homer in the first inning of the opening game, then added a 2-run homer in the fourth inning of the second game. She also pounded out 2 doubles and finished the double-header 5 of 7 with 3 runs scored and 6 RBIs.

Mohler’s first home run went over the left field fence. It came after a leadoff single by Enida Rosales (Sr., 2B, Glendale, AZ/South Mountain College) and a walk by Sarah Rempp (Jr., SS, Greeley, CO/Central H.S.), as ENMU took an early 3-0 lead over the TexAnns.

TSU tied the game with 3 runs in the third inning. Brown singled to open the stanza, then scored on a two-out homer to center field by first baseman Gracie Villa. Krystal Cannon also singled during the inning. She scored from first on a single and an outfield error. The game may have been decided by a key play with two outs and the score tied, 4-4, in the top of the sixth inning.

There were runners at second and third as Rempp raced from her shortstop position to make a diving attempt on a ball hit into left field by Villa. Rempp caught the ball in the air, but it was jarred out as she hit the ground.

Lora Sykora and Laura Castillo scored on the play, giving Tarleton State a 6-4 lead. Catcher Rachel Valenzuela (Mesa, AZ/South Mountain C.C.) singled for ENMU in the sixth, but the Zias were unable to score.

TSU relief pitcher Emily Crawford retired the Zias in order in the seventh to earn her first save of the season. Jill Ratliff, who pitched middle relief for the TexAnns, recorded the win and improved to 14-2 on the season.

ENMU started the second game with another 3-run inning. Mohler drove in Rosales with a double, then advanced to third and home on two wild pitches. The third run was scored by Rempp, who hit an infield single, stole second and third, and scored on a two-out single by freshman first baseman Dawn Hunt (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.). Mohler’s home run to left field in the fourth inning also came with Rosales on base.

The Zias led 5-0, then added a solo run in the bottom of the sixth to complete the scoring. Harrer replaced Conner as ENMU’s pitcher with two outs in the sixth inning. She faced the minimum of 4 batters to close out the game. Conner recorded the win and improved to 6-7 on the season.

Ratliff, who started the second game, dropped to 14-3 with the loss. In addition to Mohler’s offensive success, the Zias received 3 hits in 7 at bats from Rosales and Rempp during the double-header. Valenzuela added a 3 for 6 performance. Villa was 5 of 6 for TSU, with 1 run and 4 RBIs in the two games. Brown finished 4 for 5 and Asheley Walker was 3 for 6.