Athletic Report
March 19, 2001

ZIAS SWEEP FORT HAYS STATE, 8-0 AND 5-3
Harrer Throws 1-Hitter in Opener, Wins 2nd Game in Relief
PORTALES, NM — Eastern New Mexico University swept a double-header from visiting Fort Hays State University, Mar. 19 at Zia Softball Field, as senior pitcher Jennifer Harrer (RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) recorded victories in both games.

ENMU won the first game, 8-0 on the run rule in 5 innings, with Harrer allowing just 1 hit and recording 10 strikeouts. Harrer threw 5 innings as a reliever in the second game and earned 5 more strikeouts, as the Zias held off the Lady Tigers, 5-3. The Zias improved their overall record to 16-5-1, while FHSU dropped to 13-14.

Harrer moved to 8-2 on the season, with 68 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. Dawn Murray (So., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) hit her first home run of the season in the opener, and Rachel Mohler (Jr., 3B/1B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) hit her fourth homer of the year in the second game. The Zias pounded out 11 hits in the first game, on their way to 19 hits for the double-header.

FHSU’s leadoff batter, third baseman Carrie Cassida, opened the first game by recording the only hit allowed by Harrer during the contest. Cassida’s bunt sailed into the air and came down near the third base line just 5 yards into play. Mohler, playing third base, slipped as she moved toward home, then had to dive to catch the ball. The ball went into her glove, but came out when she hit the ground. Harrer faced just 17 batters the rest of the way.

Eastern took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the second stanza. Maegan Rhoten (Fr., OF/P, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) began the inning with a double to center field. She later scored on a single by Suzy Seitzinger (Sr., OF/P, Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.). Seitzinger advanced to second on a stolen base, then scored on Murray’s home run to left center.

Mohler, who doubled in her first at bat, hit another double with no outs in the third. She scored one out later, when Rhoten doubled for the second time in as many innings. The Zias remained in front 4-0 until the bottom of the fifth, when they added 4 runs. Alison Montbriand singled, stole second base, and eventually scored on pitcher Katie Cooper’s throwing error.

Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.), whose infield single led to the error, reached second on a single by Rhoten, then scored when Karena Martinez (Fr., OF, Carlsbad, NM/ Carlsbad H.S.) and Seitzinger walked. Murray drove in a run on a fielder’s choice, and Dalia Flores brought in the final run with a single to right field. Rhoten went 3 for 3 with 2 runs and an RBI in the first game. Mohler added 2 hits and scored a run in 3 at bats.

Eight different Zias earned at least one hit during the game. Cassida opened the second game with a single to left field. She advanced to second when Jessi Devine reached first on an error, and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Marla Kramer. Cassida scored on a single by Laurie Meissner up the middle.

ENMU erased the 1-0 deficit with a pair of runs in the bottom of the inning. Senior catcher Sarah Rempp (Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S., CO) reached on an error, and scored from first on Rowley’s double to right field. Another error allowed Mohler on base and sent Rowley to third. Rhoten drove in Rowley with a ground out to shortstop. Rhoten, who started the game at pitcher for ENMU, moved to left field in the third inning. Harrer replaced Rhoten on the rubber, and threw the final 5 innings of the game. Harrer also earned 1 hit in 2 at bats.

The Zias added one run in the third stanza and two runs in the fourth. Mohler homered to left center to score the third-inning run. With two outs in the fourth, Rempp doubled in Diana Sedgwick (Fr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Taft H.S.) and Rowley drove in Rempp with a single, as the Zias took a 5-1 lead. FHSU plated two runs in the sixth inning to get back in the game. Heather Varnum’s bloop single into left field eluded Rowley and Rhoten with two outs. Meissner and Mackenzie Roberts scored on the play.

When ENMU attempted to throw out Roberts at the plate, Dena Bollers, who walked earlier in the inning, reached third, and Varnum advanced to second. Harrer escaped the inning by striking out Jennifer Voss on a called third strike. In the top of the seventh, Harrer sandwiched a strikeout by Kati Bergren between singles by Cassida and Meissner. Even with the tying runs at first and third, the Lady Tigers were unable to score, as Harrer struck out two more batters to end the game.

Three ENMU players earned two hits in the second game. Rowley was 2 for 3 with a run and 2 RBIs, Sedgwick was 2 for 3 and score once, and Mohler went 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Mohler’s homer, plus doubles by Rempp and Rowley, were the game’s only extra-base hits.

Fort Hays State was led by Meissner, who went 3 for 3 with a run and an RBI. Cassida was 2 for 4 and tallied one run. Kristy Rothemeyer took the loss in the second game and fell to 6-4. Cooper, 4-5, was the losing pitcher in the opener.

The Zias travel to Oklahoma Panhandle State University on Tuesday, Mar. 20 for a double-header against the Lady Aggies. First pitch in Goodwell, Okla., is set for 12:00 noon (MST).