Athletic Report
April 13, 2001

JENNIFER HARRER IMPROVES TO 15-5
WITH TWO WINS OVER TEXAS WOMAN’S
ENMU Senior Throws 1-Hitter in Opener
DENTON, TX — Jennifer Harrer (Sr., RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) earned victories in both games, including a 1-hitter in the opener, as Eastern New Mexico University swept a Lone Star Conference double-header from Texas Woman’s University, Apr. 13 at Pioneer Field. ENMU won the opener 4-0, then edged the Pioneers in the second game, 2-1, in 10 innings.

The conference victories upped Eastern’s overall record to 26-10-1, while improving the Zias to 6-2 in the LSC South. Texas Woman’s dropped to 17-20 overall, 4-10 in the LSC South.

With the wins, ENMU set a school record for victories in a season. The old record of 25 was set last year, when the Zias finished 25-25. Eastern New Mexico also retained a slim lead for first place in the LSC South. The Zias hold a percentage-points advantage over Abilene Christian (7-3). ACU swept a double-header from TAMU-Kingsville, Apr. 13, winning 5-4 in 10 innings and 3-2.

Harrer’s 1-hitter in the opening game against Texas Woman’s was her 8th solo shutout of the season. She held TWU hitless until the 7th inning, when Kim Deaton hit a leadoff single to center field. Deaton advanced to second on a passed ball and reached third on a wild pitch, but Harrer forced a ground out, a flyout and a strikeout to end the game.

ENMU started the double-header by scoring 2 runs in the top of the first inning. Maegan Rhoten (Fr., OF/1B/P, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) singled with one out, and Rachel Mohler (Jr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) walked. A passed ball with two outs sent the runners to second and third. Rhoten and Mohler both scored on a single to left field by Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.).

The Zias added one run in the fourth inning and another in the seventh. In the fourth, Suzy Seitzinger (Sr., OF/P, Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.) walked, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Alison Montbriand (Jr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College), and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Rhoten. The final run was scored by Rowley, who hit into a fielder’s choice, stole second, and scored on a single by Karena Martinez (Fr., OF, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.).

The Zias totaled 10 hits in the opener. Kim Paschall (Sr., CF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.) led the way with 3 hits in 4 at bats. Rowley was 2 for 4 with a run and 2 RBIs. Mohler went 2 for 2 with a walk and 1 run. Neither team scored in the first five innings of the nightcap.

The Zias struck first in the top of the sixth, when Rhoten walked with two outs, then scored on a triple to right field by Sarah Rempp (Sr., C, Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S.). ENMU’s starting pitcher in the second game, Dawn Murray (So., P/1B, Carlsbad, NM/ Carlsbad H.S.) recorded two outs in the sixth inning before giving way to Harrer. Murray allowed just 3 hits, while recording 5 strikeouts and walking 2 batters.

Nickie Engelbrecht, TWU’s top hitter, was the first batter Harrer faced. Engelbrecht, who went 0 for 3 in the opener, hit a single to center field. She stole second, then advanced to third and home on an errant throw. Harrer did not allow a hit the rest of the way, and the Zias recorded the go-ahead run in the top of the 10th inning.

Under international tie-breaker rules used by the LSC when a game is tied after 9 innings, a runner is placed at second base to start each half inning. Murray, who was at second for ENMU in the 10th, beat out a throw to third on a grounder by Montbriand. After Montbriand stole second, Paschall grounded out. TWU intentionally walked Mohler to load the bases. Murray was forced home with the winning run when Rhoten was hit by a pitch.

Harrer faced just three batters in the bottom of the 10th inning. She fielded a grounder by Deaton, caused a popup by Lori Pollard, and struck out pinch-hitter Amara Ellis. Harrer, now 15-5 on the season, struck out 6 batters and gave up 2 walks in 4 1/3 innings of relief. For TWU, Dawn England (8-11) was the losing pitcher in the opener, and threw six innings of Game #2. Chastity Chapman (2-4) was credited with the loss in relief in the second game. Martinez was 2 of 4 for ENMU and Kasie Ostrom was 2 of 4 for TWU in the nightcap. No other batter registered more than one hit in the game.

Rhoten was 0 for 3, but scored one run and drove in the other for ENMU. Mohler went 1 for 2 and walked three times. For the day, Mohler was 3 for 4 with 4 walks, and was hit by a pitch.

Eastern New Mexico and Texas Woman’s will complete the 4-game LSC series with a double-header on Saturday, Apr. 14. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 noon (MDT).