Athletic Report
February 24, 2001

EASTERN NEW MEXICO WINS ZIA CLASSIC
WITH EXTRA-INNING VICTORY OVER WNMU
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University defeated Western New Mexico University, 7-6 in eight innings, in the championship game of the 2nd Annual Zia Classic, Feb. 24 at ENMU. Sophomore first baseman Dawn Murray (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) scored the winning run from third base on a single by freshman designated player Dalia Flores (Allen, TX/Vernon Regional H.S.). ENMU improved to 5-2 overall, while WNMU dropped to 7-2.

Eastern’s 8th-inning run capped an exciting title game that saw both teams rally. ENMU held an early 2-0 lead with a pair of first inning runs, but WNMU scored 4 runs in the top of the second. The Lady Mustangs added another run in the third inning, giving WNMU a 5-2 lead.

The Zias battled back with 4 runs in the fifth stanza, as ENMU regained the lead, 6-5. A run in the top of the sixth allowed Western to tie the game, 6-6, setting up the tense finish.

After neither team scored in the seventh inning, the international tie-breaker was used. Under the international tie-breaker, a runner is placed at second base before an extra inning gets underway. All other aspects of the game remain the same.

In the top of the eighth, the Lady Mustangs advanced their base runner, Lisamarie Castro, from second base to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Angela Slaugh. ENMU relief pitcher Jennifer Harrer (Sr., Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) got out of the inning by striking out Beckie Hartman and Michelle Manning.

When ENMU began the bottom of the eighth, Murray was at second base. She moved to third two pitches later on a passed ball. Flores then hit a single into left field, scoring Murray with the decisive run. There were no outs in the inning.

Harrer (2-0) pitched the final 4 2/3 innings to earn the win. She struck out 7 batters and allowed just 1 walk. Slaugh (3-2), who pitched a 5-hitter to defeat the Zias 4-2 on Friday (Feb. 23), took the loss after throwing the final three innings. She earned 5 strikeouts.

Eastern’s Maegan Rhoten (Fr., LF, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) provided the game’s first big play with a 2-run homer to left center in the first inning. Kim Paschall (Sr., CF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.), who singled to start the inning, also scored on the play.

The key hits in Western New Mexico’s second inning rally were a 2-RBI single by Raean Gaoiran and a 2-RBI double by Shellie Broyles. Castro hit a run-scoring double to center field in the third inning, as WNMU took a 5-2 advantage.

Eastern used 3 hits and 2 errors to reclaim the lead in the fifth stanza. The inning began with Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Salem, OR/Clackamas C.C.) and Rhoten hitting singles. Senior catcher Sarah Rempp (Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S., CO) drove in both runners with a double to left center.

Later in the inning, Suzy Seitzinger (Sr., P/OF, Bloomfield, NM/ Bloomfield H.S.) drove in Rempp on a ground out to second base. Murray scored the go-ahead run when her attempt to steal third base led to a throwing error by catcher Toni Guevara. WNMU’s tying run in the sixth was scored by Slaugh. She was hit by a pitch to open the inning, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brooke Hughes. Slaugh reached third when Katie Gutierrez singled, then crossed the plate on a double by Gaoiran.

Rempp led the Zias with 3 hits in 4 at bats to go with a run scored an 2 RBIs. Rhoten was 2 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs. Paschall and Seitzinger also finished 2 for 4 during the game. WNMU was led by Gaoiran, who went 2 for 4 with a run and 3 RBIs. Broyles earned 2 hits in 3 at bats, and drove in 2 runs, while Holly Justice went 2 for 3 with a run scored.

The Zias began the day by completing their game against Southern Nazarene University, which was suspended in the third inning due to darkness on Friday. Rhoten hit a 3-run homer to left center just before the suspension, giving ENMU a 5-1 lead.

The Zias scored three additional runs in the third inning when play resumed, then scored 4 times in the fourth. Harrer pitched a complete game 2-hitter, as the Zias won 11-1 on the run rule in 5 innings. Rempp was 3 for 3 with 3 runs against Southern Nazarene. Karena Martinez (Fr., OF/C, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) drove in 3 runs with a double in 3 at bats.

ENMU defeated El Paso Community College, 12-4, in the semifinals. Rhoten was 5 for 5 with a 2-run homer, and Paschall went 2 for 4 with a solo homer and 3 runs scored. Rempp added 3 runs and an RBI, while going 3 for 4 at the plate, and Seitzinger was 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs.

The NCAA does not count games against junior colleges, so ENMU’s overall record and statistics do not include its two tournament wins over the Tejanas. Western New Mexico defeated Southern Nazarene, 13-0, in the other semifinal.

In its first game on Saturday, WNMU slipped past El Paso, 7-6, to finish the preliminary round as the top seed with a 3-0 record.