Athletic Report
May 12, 2001

ZIAS WIN REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP,
ADVANCE TO NCAA NATIONAL FINALS
Harrer Throws 1-Hitter in 4-0 Victory over St. Mary’s
PUEBLO, CO — Jennifer Harrer (Sr., RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) threw a no-hitter through six innings and finished with a 1-hitter, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated St. Mary’s University (Texas) in the championship game of the South Central Regional in the NCAA National Tournament, May 15 in Pueblo, Colo. ENMU improved to 37-12-1 overall and advanced to the 8-team National Finals, set for May 17-21 in Salem, Va.

St. Mary’s concluded its season with a 40-18 record. Harrer, now 23-6 on the season, did not allow a hit until Ashley Boedeker singled down the left field line to open the seventh inning. Harrer struck out 3 batters during the game, extending her ENMU single season record to 201 strikeouts. She also increased her career total to 418 strikeouts, also an ENMU record.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning, when the Zias moved in front. Suzy Seitzinger (Sr., OF/P, Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.) opened the inning with a double to left center. She reached third on a passed ball, then beat the throw home on sacrifice fly by Dawn Murray (So., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.).

Junior third baseman Rachel Mohler (Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) provided the game’s big hit, a leadoff homer to left center in the sixth inning. It was her 10th homer of the season and the 30th home run of her career. She homered in all three of Eastern’s Regional Tournament games, as the Zias went 3-0 on their way to the Regional title.

Mohler’s home run turned ENMU’s slim 1-0 lead into a 2-0 advantage. It also started a 3-run inning for the Zias. Sarah Rempp (Sr., C, Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S., CO) reached on an error with one out, and later scored on a single by Karena Martinez (Fr., DP/OF, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.). Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.), who moved Rempp to second with a single, eventually scored on a double steal.

Pinch-runner Diana Sedgwick (Fr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Taft H.S.), who ran for Martinez, stole second base on the double steal. Murray followed with a base hit to center field, but Sedgwick was thrown out at the plate.

Eastern’s 4-0 lead was more than enough to support Harrer. She faced five batters in the seventh inning, but maintained the shutout. She has earned 12 complete-game shutouts this year, and has participated in 3 combined shutouts. Her efforts in the South Central Regional lowered her ERA to 0.83 in 194 innings pitched.

After Boedeker singled to start the seventh inning, Nadia Muraira hit a sacrifice bunt to Harrer for the first out. Pitcher Kristy Marley batted for designated player Shavon Vela, and walked on a full-count pitch. Harrer then struck out Stephanie Delgardo for the second out. The final out was recorded when a fly ball from Jessica Jimenez was hauled in by left fielder Maegan Rhoten (Fr., OF/1B/P, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.).

ENMU ended the game with eight hits by eight different players. Rhoten, hit a double off the left field fence just a few feet into fair territory. Mohler’s homer and Seitzinger’s double were the only other extra base hits.

Six Zias were named to the South Central Regional All-Tournament Team. They were Harrer at pitcher, Martinez at designated player, Mohler at third base, Alison Montbriand (Jr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College) at second base, Kim Paschall (Sr., CF, Midland, TX/Midland H.S.) in the outfield, and Rowley at shortstop.