Athletic Report
May 17, 2001

LEWIS EDGES ENMU 1-0 AT NCAA NATIONAL FINALS
SALEM, VA — Lewis University senior pitcher Kim Mackinson threw a complete-game 2-hitter, as the Flyers defeated Eastern New Mexico University, 1-0, in the first round of the NCAA Division II National Finals, on Thursday, May 17, at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex. With the win, Lewis improved to 53-11 on the season. ENMU dropped to 37-13-1 overall.

Lewis will take on the winner of the first round game between Dowling College (N.Y.) and the University of Alabama-Huntsville in a winner’s bracket game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. (EDT) on Friday, May 18. The game between Dowling and UAH was suspended in the fourth inning with Dowling in front, 1-0, and will be resumed on Friday at 9:30 a.m. (MDT). ENMU will play the loser of the Dowling/Huntsville game at 2:30 p.m. on Friday.

Mackinson, 6’2”, threw exceptionally strong in the first four innings, when she did not allow a hit. ENMU finally broke the no-hitter with one out in the bottom of the fifth stanza, when Karena Martinez (Fr., DP/OF, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) singled to center field and Suzy Seitzinger (Sr., RF, Bloomfield, NM/Bloomfield H.S.) followed immediately with a single that landed just inside the foul line in shallow left field. Dawn Murray (So., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) grounded out to shortstop to advance the runners to second and third, but the Flyers recorded another ground out to end the Zias’ threat.

ENMU did not earn another hit the rest of the way. The game’s only run was scored by Lewis in the top of the second inning. Laurie Markatos walked to start the inning, then gave way to pinch-runner Kelly Gaunt.

Two sacrifice bunts resulted in one error and one out, putting runners at second and third. Jen DiGiacomo reached base on a fielder’s choice, as Jessica Rowley (Jr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas H.S.) threw out Gaunt at the plate. With two outs in the inning, Katie Schaefer singled to left field, driving in Miranda Fudge.

Two more errors by ENMU helped Lewis produce several other scoring chances, but the Zias overcame errors and walks with big defensive plays. Sarah Rempp (Sr., C, Marshalltown, IA/Greeley Central H.S.) not only blocked the plate when Gaunt tried to score, but also threw out two base stealers and started a double play on a short bunt.

Schaefer was the only player for either team with more than one hit. She was 2 for 3, and earned the game’s only RBI. Gina Blackwell, Mandy Driscoll and Jill Karwoski each singled for the Flyers. Mackinson finished the game with 7 strikeouts and no walks. She improved to 24-7 on the season. Her performance helped Lewis improve to 19-10 when the Flyers score two runs or less this season.

“Kim Mackinson pitched extremely well,” ENMU Co-Head Coach Kathleen Rodriguez said as she quickly summarized the game. Harrer kept the Zias in the game by allowing just 5 hits, all singles. Lewis left nine runners on base, as Harrer and the ENMU defense prevented the Flyers from scoring an insurance run.

“We didn’t play Zia softball today. We came out too tight,” Rodriguez said. “Hopefully tomorrow (Friday, May 18) we’ll play Zia softball, and be relaxed, hit the ball and take charge of the game.” In other first round games at the National Finals, Humboldt State University (Calif.) downed Bloomsburg University (Pa.), 2-1, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha defeated Kennesaw State University (Ga.), 2-1.

On Friday, Humboldt State and UNO will meet in a winner’s bracket game, while Bloomsburg and Kennesaw State will battle in a loser’s bracket game.