Athletic Report
March 23, 2001

ENMU SPLITS DOUBLE-HEADER WITH TSU
Zias Score 3 Runs in 8th inning for 4-1 Win in 2nd Game
STEPHENVILLE, TX — Freshman Maegan Rhoten (1B/OF/P, Albuquerque, NM/ St. Pius X H.S.) hit a 2-run single in the top of the eighth inning to break a 1-1 tie and send Eastern New Mexico University to a 4-1 victory over Tarleton State University in the second game of a double-header, Mar. 23 in Stephenville, Texas.

In the opener, TSU scored 2 unearned runs in the first inning, then held on for a 2-1 victory. The Lone Star Conference double-header opened LSC South play for both teams. ENMU moved to 17-6-1 on the season, while TSU became 22-11 overall.

Rhoten finished the day with 4 hits in 7 at bats. She was 2 for 3 in the first game, including a solo home run for Eastern’s only score. In the second game, she went 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs. TSU recorded just one hit in the first inning of the opening game, but benefited from two walks and two errors to take a 2-0 lead.

Amy Dunn walked to start the inning, but ENMU pitcher Jennifer Harrer (Sr., RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) struck out the next two batters. Dunn stolen second base, and later advanced to third, when Alicia Petersma reached first base on an error. After Marcie Villa walked to load the bases, Lauren Morton reached on an error, and Dunn scored the game’s first run. Petersma scored on a single by Staci Greear.

The Zias pulled within one run when Rhoten smashed her solo homer to left field with one out in the second inning. Eastern’s only other hit of the first game was a single by Rhoten with a runner and first and two outs in the sixth. Heather Browne tripled for the TexAnns with two outs in the second inning.

Harrer, who fanned Cheryl Dickens and Dunn to start the stanza, struck out Gracie Villa to end the threat. Harrer did not give up a hit the rest of the way. She registered 10 strikeouts, walked 3 batters and allowed just 2 hits during the complete-game performance. Carla Geeslin, who improved to 12-3 with the win for TSU, recorded 3 strikeouts and allowed 4 walks.

In the second game, Harrer pitched 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief to finish the day with a 9-3 overall record. She earned 4 strikeouts, walked 2 batters, and did not allow a hit during her relief appearance.

ENMU scored first in the second game. Jessica Rowley walked and stole second base to start the fourth inning. Rhoten immediately followed with a single up the middle, allowing Rowley to cross the plate. Dalia Flores (Jr., DH/C, Allen, TX/Vernon Regional J.C.) sacrificed Rhoten to second, and Dawn Murray (So., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) moved Rhoten to third with a two-out infield hit, but the Zias were unable to increase their 1-0 lead.

TSU, which managed just 2 hits in the first 5 innings, recorded two hits in the 6th. Browne started the stanza with a single, then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Gracie Villa. Browne scored the tying run on Petersma’s single through the left side.

Harrer entered the game with one out in the 6th, and walked Marcie Villas to put runners at first and second. She struck out pinch-hitter Maria Sanchez, but walked shortstop Dee Dee Kirkpatrick to load the bases. Harrer caught Amie Kirkpatrick’s short popup to end the inning.

Neither team scored in the seventh, as both pitchers faced just 3 batters. In the top of the eighth, Kim Paschall (Sr., CF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.) grounded out on a lead-off bunt, but Sarah Rempp (Sr., C, Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S.) doubled to center field. Rachel Mohler (Jr., 3B/1B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) singled to right field, putting runners at first and third.

Rowley hit into a fielders choice, as Rempp was forced out at home on a throw from Browne at second base. Rhoten followed with the game-winning single to left center, driving in pinch-runner Crystale Moore (So., OF/C, Albuquerque, NM/Manzano H.S.) and Rowley with the go-ahead runs. Rhoten, who advanced to second on the throw to the plate, later scored on a single by Flores.

Harrer recorded a strikeout, a fly out and a pop up to retire the TexAnns in order in the bottom of the eighth. During the double-header, Harrer struck out 14 batters in 8 2/3 innings. She has achieved 82 strikeouts in 71 innings this season. Jill Ratliff, 10-3, took the loss for Tarleton State. She pitched the first 7 2/3 innings, and gave up 8 hits and 2 walks.

Reliever Kerrie Short hit two batters, but did not allow a run and recorded the final out. Murray (2 for 3) and Rempp (2 for 4) joined Rhoten with two hits during the game for ENMU. No one achieved more than 1 hit for TSU, as Murray and Harrer combined on a 4-hitter.

The Zias and TexAnns will play another double-header in Stephenville on Saturday, Mar. 24. First pitch in the opening game is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. (MST).