Athletic Report
May 18, 2001

ZIAS DEFEAT DOWLING COLLEGE TO KEEP GOING AT NCAA NATIONAL FINALS
Kathleen Rodriguez Gives Birth Shortly After Game
SALEM, VA — Senior pitcher Jennifer Harrer (RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Hope Christian H.S.) threw a complete-game 3-hitter and struck out 10 batters, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Dowling College, 2-0, in a loser’s bracket game, Friday, May 18, at the NCAA Division II National Finals at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex. ENMU upped its overall record to 38-13-1. Dowling, which was eliminated from the tournament with the loss, ended its season at 39-17.

ENMU became one of just six teams still in the running for the 2001 national title. The Zias will take on the University of Nebraska-Omaha in an elimination game on Saturday, May 19, at 12:00 p.m. (EDT). UNO lost to Humboldt State University, 6-2, in a winner’s bracket game Friday evening.

While the Zias were taking on the Golden Lions at the Moyer Sports Complex, ENMU Co-Head Coach Kathleen Rodriguez was at Carilion Roanoke Community Hospital awaiting the birth of her second child. Her husband, ENMU Co-Head Coach James Rodriguez, was with the team during the game.

He left for the hospital shortly after the game ended. Kathleen gave birth to Aryn James Rodriguez at 5:23 p.m. (EDT). Aryn weighed 8 pounds, 5 ounces, and was in good health. Kathleen, also in good health, will remain hospitalized on Saturday, while James accompanies the Zias to their game against UNO.

With nearly everyone at the tournament wondering about the impending birth of the Rodriguez’ second child (their first child is 3-year-old Ryan), Harrer was concentrating on keeping the Dowling offense in check. Harrer gave up just 3 singles and retired the Golden Lions in order in five of the seven innings.

ENMU scored the only runs the Zias would need in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, Alison Montbriand (Jr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College) reached first base on a fielding error by the second baseman. Kim Paschall walked, then both runners scored on a double down the left field line by Rachel Mohler (Jr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) Dowling’s Krista Lovejoy singled in the second inning, but the Golden Lions did not record another hit until the sixth inning.

In between, Harrer retired 10 straight Dowling batters. Katherine Roche singled to lead off the sixth inning. The next batter, Leslie Bonello, hit a fly ball to center field that was hauled in by Paschall, who doubled off pinch-runner Nicole Porter. Holly Wagoner followed with a walk, then reached second on an infield single by Tina Falsone. Kristy McGinniss struck out to end the inning.

Harrer faced just three batters in the seventh inning to earn the complete-game victory. She lowered her ERA to 0.77 while improving to 24-7 on the season. She has struck out 212 batters in 208 innings pitched. Paschall led the Zias with 2 hits in 3 at bats, plus one walk.

ENMU registered 7 hits and benefited from 2 walks and 3 errors during the game, but could not score after the second inning. Eastern left 9 runners on base. The Zias, in just their fifth season of existence, are making their first appearance in both the NCAA Tournament and the National Finals.

ENMU has a 1.28 team ERA and has limited opponents to a .207 batting average. The Zias are hitting .292 on offense and has achieved a .961 fielding percentage.