Athletic Report
April 12, 2002

ZIAS AND WILDCATS SPLIT DOUBLE-HEADER ACU
Edges ENMU, 9-8 in 12 Innings, in First Game Zias Take 12-4 Run Rule Victory in Second Game
ABILENE, TX – After falling to Abilene Christian University, 9-8 in 12 innings, in the longest game in Eastern New Mexico University softball history, the Zias quickly dispatched the Wildcats in the second game of the double-header, taking a 12-4 win on the run rule in five innings. The double-header left ENMU with a 23-20 overall record and a 5-9 mark in the LSC South. ACU moved to 8-17 overall, 2-6 in the LSC South.

Prior to the first game, Eastern’s four longest games all lasted 10 innings. The Zias defeated Texas A&M University-Kingsville, 2-1 in 10 innings, on March 31, 2001. ENMU also outlasted Texas Woman’s University, 2-1 in 10 innings, on April 13, 2001. The Zias fell to Southeastern Oklahoma in the LSC Tournament championship game, 2-1 in 10 innings, on April 28, 2001. Early this season, on Feb. 7, ENMU edged St. Mary’s University (Texas), 10-9 in 10 innings.

The 12-inning game, began with the Wildcats scoring three runs in the first inning and tallying two runs in the second inning for a 5-0 lead. ENMU went scoreless over the first three innings, but scored four runs in the fourth stanza, to cut the deficit to a single run. The Wildcats extended their advantage to 7-4 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth, but ENMU battled back with one run in the fifth and two runs in the sixth to tie the score.

Both teams went scoreless in the 7th, 8th and 9th innings. The Zias produced one run in the top of the 10th and ACU matched the tally in the bottom of the inning. Both runs were aided by the International Tie-Breaker, in which the player making the final out of the previous inning is placed on second base to start the stanza.

The LSC uses the tie-breaker starting in the 10th inning. Jessica Rowley (Sr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) was Eastern’s tie-breaking runner in the 10th inning. She moved to third on a ground out by Dalia Flores (Sr., C, Allen, TX/Vernon Regional J.C.) and scored on a double by Vicki Davis (Jr., OF, Gilbert, AZ/Glendale C.C.).

Misti Pryer was placed on second to start the bottom of the inning for ACU. She advanced to third base on a sacrifice bunt by Veronica Villa. Melissa Williams grounded out to second base before Katie Bryan drove in Pryer with a double. Williams moved to third when there was an error on the play, but was left stranded when J.D. Williams flied out to left field. Both teams quickly sacrificed their tie-breaking runners to third base in the 11th inning, but neither team scored.

ENMU also received a sacrifice bunt from Dawn Murray (Jr., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) in the 12th, as tie-breaking runner Maegan Rhoten (So., P/LF, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) ran to third. Rowley hit an infield pop-up for the second out, then Dalia Flores walked.

The inning ended with Davis struck out swinging. Rebecca Hightower was Abilene’s tie-breaking runner in the bottom of the 12th. She was replaced by pinch-runner Candice Perry, who moved to third base when Hilary Miller singled. Perry scored the winning run when Pryer also singled. Maurine McWilliams pitched all 12 innings for ACU. She struck out 6 batters and improved to 8-14 with the win.

Lauren King (So., RHP, La Mirada, CA/La Serna H.S.), who entered the game with one out in the seventh inning, gave up both extra-inning runs by the Wildcats and fell to 10-6 on the season. She struck out 4 players and did not allow a walk. Pryer, Villa and Bryan each registered three hits in the first game for ACU.

Rhoten was the top hitter for ENMU, with 3 hits in 6 at bats, including a double. Rowley was 2 for 6 with a double and 2 runs, while Davis went 2 for 6 and Alison Montbriand (Sr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College) was 2 for 4. The Zias finished the first game with 16 hits, then pounded out 12 hits in the second game.

Murray and Rachel Mohler (Sr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) led the offense in the nightcap. Murray hit a 3-run homer in Eastern’s 4-run first inning, while Mohler went 2 for 4 with 5 RBIs, including a 3-RBI single in the fifth inning. Other key hitters for ENMU were Montbriand and Sarah Ramirez (Fr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Providence H.S.). Montbriand went 2 for 3 and Ramirez was 3 for 3 with a double. Both players scored twice.

ENMU led 7-0 after 3 1/2 innings, but the Wildcats plated four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. Hightower drove in two of the runs with a triple. It was ACU’s only extra-base hit of the game. The Wildcats totaled 9 hits during the contest. Five runs in the top of the fifth innings gave ENMU a 12-4 lead.

In addition to Mohler’s 3-run single, the Zias also benefited from a 2-RBI single by Jessica Cook (Jr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris J.C.). King, 11-6, finished a complete-game victory by forcing three consecutive ground outs in the bottom of the inning.

Villa was the only Wildcat with more than one hit in the second game. She was 2 for 2 with one sacrifice bunt. ACU will host the Zias again on Saturday, April 13. Game time for the first contest in the LSC South double-header is set for 11:00 a.m. (MDT).