Athletic Report
December 17, 2001

EASTERN NEW MEXICO SOFTBALL TEAM
SIGNS TONIE HUTZLER TO LETTER-OF-INTENT
PORTALES, NM — Kathleen Rodriguez and James Rodriguez, co-head softball coaches at Eastern New Mexico University, have announced the signing of right-handed pitcher Tonie Hutzler to a National Letter of Intent. Hutzler, who signed during the early signing period in November, is currently a senior at Medina Valley High School in Castroville, Texas. She is the first player signed by the Zias for the 2002-03 academic year.

The ENMU softball team qualified for the 2001 NCAA Division II National Tournament and won the South Central Regional to advance to the National Finals in Salem, Va. The Zias tied for 5th place in the nation.

ENMU’s losses at the National Finals were to Nebraska-Omaha, which won the national title, and to Lewis University, the national runner-up. The Zias concluded the year with a 38-14-1 overall record. ENMU also won its first ever Lone Star Conference South Division title and placed second at the LSC Tournament. It was just the 5th season of softball at ENMU.

Kathleen and James Rodriguez were named LSC South Co-Coaches-of-the-Year. They also were chosen the NCAA Division II South Central Region Coaching Staff-of-the-Year (along with graduate assistant coach Dana Lambert) in voting by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. (NFCA).

ZIA SOFTBALL SIGNEE
Tonie Hutzler
Pitcher (RHP), Castroville, Texas (Medina Valley High School)
Hutzler will be a freshman at ENMU during the 2002-03 academic year.