Athletic Report
February 20, 2001

ENMU DEFEATS EL PASO C.C., FALLS TO WNMU
ON FIRST DAY OF 2ND ANNUAL ZIA CLASSIC
PORTALES, NM — The Eastern New Mexico University Zias pounded out 18 hits in the opening game of the 2nd Annual Zia Softball Classic, Friday, Feb. 23, on their way to a 14-3 victory over El Paso Community College. Later in the day, the Zias fell to Western New Mexico University, 4-2, as WNMU pitcher Angela Slaugh limited ENMU to 5 hits.

After the first day of the two-day tournament, WNMU is in first place with a 2-0 record. ENMU and El Paso C.C. are both 1-1, and Southern Nazarene University is 0-2.

The Zias were leading Southern Nazarene, 5-1, early in the third inning of the day’s final game when play was suspended due to darkness. ENMU and SNU will complete the game on Saturday, Feb. 24, at 7:30 a.m. (MST).

In Eastern’s game against El Paso C.C., the Zias broke open a scoreless game with 4 runs in the third inning and 5 runs in the fourth. Karena Martinez (Fr., DP/OF, Carlsbad, NM/ Carlsbad H.S.) hit a bases-loaded double in the fourth inning to drive in 3 runs. Rachel Mohler (Jr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) connected for a 2-RBI double in the fourth inning.

El Paso C.C. scored once in the bottom of the fourth, but ENMU added another run of its own in the top of the fifth inning for a 10-1 lead. Pinch-hitter Bobbi Richardson (Fr., UT, Kerrville, TX/Tivy H.S.) reached on an error and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Mohler.

The Tejanas scored twice in the bottom of the fifth to prevent ENMU from winning on the run rule. Lori Hernandez and Abby Carbajal each hit run-scoring singles. ENMU plated 4 runs in the sixth stanza, then held EPCC scoreless in the bottom of the inning, to put the 8-run rule back into effect and win the game, 14-3.

Dawn Murray (So., 1B/P , Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.), Sarah Rempp (Sr., C/SS, Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S., CO), and Mohler each recorded an RBI for ENMU during the inning. Suzy Seitzinger, who pitched the entire game for ENMU, faced just three batters in the bottom of the sixth. Jessica Ponce grounded out, Stacey Griffith singled, and Veronica Abalos hit a grounder to shortstop that resulted in a game-ending double play, as the Zias claimed a run-rule victory.

Against Western New Mexico, the Zias took an early 2-0 lead with one run in each of the first two innings. In the first, Kim Paschall (Sr., CF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.) led off with a triple to center field. Mohler followed with a ground out to second base, but she recorded an RBI, as Paschall scored on the play.

In the second, Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Salem, OR/ Clackamas C.C.) doubled down the left field line with one out. With two outs, Murray hit a double to left center, driving in Rowley with the Zias’ second run.

Western New Mexico rallied into the lead with three runs in the top of the third. Shellie Broyles hit a 2-RBI single to tie the game. Broyles later scored on a single by Erica Aguilar. The Lady Mustangs recorded four hits — all singles — during the inning.

WNMU added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Third baseman Denise Flores walked with one out, then reached second base on a passed ball with two outs. Brooke Hughes pinch-rank for Flores, and advanced to third when a pick-off throw from home plate was off target. Hughes scored when Michelle Manning belted a single to left center.

Slaugh not only limited the Zias to just 5 hits during the game, she also registered 10 strikeouts and consistently kept the ball over the inside corner of the plate. She faced just 25 batters for the complete-game win, and allowed just one hit after the second inning — a single by Martinez in the fourth. Slaugh did not give up a walk.

For the season, ENMU owns a 3-2 record. Eastern’s win against El Paso C.C. does not count in the Zias’ overall record because EPCC is a junior college. On Saturday, the continuation of the ENMU-Southern Nazarene game will start the action.

WNMU and El Paso C.C. are slated to complete the round robin portion of the tournament with a game at 8:30 a.m. (MST). Semifinal games will be played at 10:30 a.m. (MST) and 12:30 p.m. (MST). Pairings will be determined by the teams’ respective finishes in round robin play. The semifinal winners will meet in the championship game at 2:30 p.m. (MST).