Athletic Report
April 20, 2001

ZIAS CLINCH LSC SOUTH TITLE
ENMU Sweeps Abilene Christian, 8-6 & 12-4
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University softball team swept visiting Abilene Christian University, 8-6 and 12-4, on Friday, Apr. 20, in a Lone Star Conference double-header at Zia Softball Field. ENMU’s two wins, plus a double-header split by Tarleton State at Texas A&M-Kingsville on Friday, allowed the Zias to clinch outright possession of the LSC South title with one day remaining in the regular season. ENMU improved to 30-10-1 overall and to 10-2 in the LSC South.

Abilene Christian fell to 20-18, including 8-6 in the LSC South. The Zias, Abilene Christian and Tarleton State have clinched berths in the LSC Tournament, Apr. 27-28, in Irving, Texas. TSU, which won 5-1 before losing 5-3 at TAMU-Kingsville, improved to 7-5 in the LSC and move into second place in the division, percentage points ahead of Abilene Christian.

In the opener, ACU took a 3-0 lead in the top of the second inning, but the Zias answered with 4 runs in the bottom of the stanza. All three of ACU’s runs were unearned, with a throwing error bringing in the first two runs. The Wildcats recorded four hits during the inning, including a leadoff single to left field by J.D. Williams.

Karena Martinez (Fr., DP/OF, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) and Suzy Seitzinger (Sr., OF, Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.) hit back-to-back singles in the bottom of the inning. Both advanced when Dawn Murray (So., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) was called out on an infield fly that ACU failed to catch. Alison Montbriand (Jr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College) added a 2-RBI single, then scored on a double by Kim Paschall (Sr., OF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.). Paschall scored on a single by Maegan Rhoten (Fr., OF/1B/P, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.).

The Zias added one run in the third inning and two more in the fourth to take a 7-3 lead. Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) reached on an error and scored in the third. Paschall drove in Montbriand with a single in the fourth. She also stole second, reached third on a ground out, and scored when Mohler provided a sacrifice bunt. An error on the play allowed Mohler to reach first and second, but the inning ended without another ENMU run.

Both teams scored once in the fifth before the Wildcats cut the deficit to 8-6 with a pair of runs in the sixth. Two bunt singles put Candice Perry at second and Misty Pryer at first with one out. Perry and Pryer advanced on a passed ball, then scored on a double by Heather Hicks.

ENMU pitcher Jennifer Harrer (Sr., RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.), who improved to 17-5 with the win, faced just three batters in the seventh inning. She struck out J.D. Williams for the first out, fielded a grounder by Alicia Ortiz for the second out, and caused Robin Woodall to foul out between the third base line and the home dugout to end the inning.

Harrer struck out 4 batters during the game, increasing her school record for strikeouts in a season to 158. She has set another ENMU record by throwing 139 2/3 innings this season. Paschall was 3 for 3 with a double, 2 runs and 3 RBIs for the Zias. Martinez added 3 hits in 4 at bats. ACU was led by Hicks, who went 2 for 4 with 2 doubles, a run scored and 2 RBIs.

The second game featured four home runs, including a grand slam. ENMU catcher Sarah Rempp (Sr., Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S.) hit the grand slam to right field to complete a 5-run first inning for the Zias. The other run was scored by Paschall, who doubled to left center, then raced home on a double by Rhoten. ACU’s only homer of the game was a 3-run blast by Woodall during the second inning.

The Wildcats also received an RBI single from Pryer during the stanza, as they cut the ENMU lead to a single run, 5-4. Eastern scored an unearned run in the second inning, then tallied 5 more runs in the third. All of the runs in the third inning were scored on homers, with Paschall driving in 3 runs on an inside-the-park shot to right field and Mohler adding 2 RBIs with a blast to left field.

The Zias tacked on a run in the bottom of the fourth, when Seitzinger scored on a single by Paschall. Lynee Velasco earned a one-out single for ACU in the fifth, but the Zias did not give up a run and the game was called on the run rule after 4 1/2 innings.

Murray, who pitched the entire game for ENMU, did not allow a run after the second inning and improved to 6-0 on the season. Maurine McWilliams, who pitched the first 2 innings for ACU, fell to 19-16 with the loss. She also suffered the defeat in the opener.

Paschall was 3 for 4 in the second game to finish the day with 6 hits in 7 at bats. Mohler and Rowley both went 2 for 3 and scored twice. Mohler also added 2 RBIs. Rhoten was 2 for 4 with 2 runs and an RBI. Seven different players each recorded one hit for Abilene Christian.

ENMU and ACU will play another double-header on Saturday, Apr. 20. First pitch in the opening game is scheduled for 12:00 noon (MDT).