Athletic Report
April 13, 2002

RHOTEN HITS HOMER, THROWS COMPLETE GAME AS ZIAS SWEEP DOUBLE-HEADER FROM ACU
ABILENE, TX – Maegan Rhoten (So., P/LF, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) hit a 2-run homer in the first game, then threw a complete-game 7-hitter in the second game, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Abilene Christian University in both games of a double-header, 8-2 and 6-4, April 13 at Wells Field, in Abilene, Texas. ENMU upped its overall record to 25-20 and improved to 7-9 in the LSC South. ACU dropped to 10-21 overall, 2-8 in the LSC South.

Rhoten’s homer came with one out and ENMU leading 4-0 in the fifth inning of the opener. Bobbi Richardson (Fr., UT, Kerrville, TX/Tivy H.S.), who walked to start the inning, was on first base and also scored on the play. It was Rhoten’s team-leading 7th homer of the season. Eastern added another run in the top of the sixth, increasing the Zias’ lead to 7-0. Abilene Christian finally got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning, when Katie Bryan and J.D. Williams both recorded hits and eventually scored on a two-out single by Rebecca Hightower.

The Zias took a 7-2 lead into the seventh inning. Amanda Langford (Jr., OF, Mesquite, TX/Lon Morris J.C.) walked with one out in the inning, then reached second on a single by Dawn Murray (Jr., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.). Langford scored the final run of the game from second base on a single by Jessica Rowley (Sr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.). Earlier in the game, ENMU took a 3-0 lead with a pair of runs in the first inning and one run in the second stanza.

Rachel Mohler (Sr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) drove in Sarah Ramirez (Fr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Providence H.S.) with the initial run, then scored later in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Murray. In the second inning, Vicki Davis (Jr., OF, Gilbert, AZ/ Glendale C.C.) hit a double and eventually scored on a double by Ramirez. Davis later singled to open the fourth stanza. She rounded the bases and scored when a single by Dalia Flores (Sr., C, Allen, TX/Vernon Regional J.C.) was misplayed in right field. Rhoten and Davis each went 2 for 2, while Ramirez finished the game with two hits in three at bats.Davis scored 3 runs. Rhoten and Ramirez each registered two RBIs.

Williams paced ACU with 2 hits and a run in 2 at bats, while five players each managed one hit for the Wildcats. Maurine McWilliams threw all seven innings for ACU. She gave up 8 runs (6 earned), while striking out 2 batters and allowing 5 walks. Her record dropped to 8-16.

ENMU accumulated 11 hits during the game and took advantage of two errors by Abilene Christian. Each error led to one of Eastern’s unearned runs. Sophomore pitcher Lauren King (La Mirada, CA/La Serna H.S.) upped her record to 12-6 with a complete-game victory. She registered 6 strikeouts to go with 2 walks.

In Game #2, Rhoten improved to 10-6, while striking out 3 batters and allowing 4 walks. She held ACU scoreless until the bottom of the third inning, when the Zias already held a 4-0 lead.Eastern owned a comfortable 6-1 lead before ACU tallied another run in the fourth inning and plated two runs in the seventh inning. Rhoten gave up nine hits overall. ENMU scored its 6 runs in the nightcap on just 7 hits.

The Zias, however, took advantage of two of ACU’s three errors. With one out in the first inning, Richardson reached base on an error in right field, then moved to second and third when Mohler and Rhoten walked. Richardson was thrown out at home on a grounder by Murray, but Rowley followed with a 2-RBI single.

In the fourth inning, Eastern’s final two runs came after an infield error allowed Ramirez to reach first base to start the inning. She scored on a double by Richardson, who later scored on a single by Rhoten. The Zias scored twice in the third inning without the benefit of an error. Murray walked with one out, then Rowley blasted a 2-run homer. It was Rowley’s 5th home run of the season.

The fourth inning, when the Wildcats achieved 4 hits, was ACU’s best chance to get back in the game. Hightower reached on a fielder’s choice and eventually scored, but the Wildcats left three runners on base after Veronica Villa and Melissa Williams hit back-to-back fly outs. Bryan hit an RBI triple in the seventh, driving in Melissa Williams, who tripled to start the inning. J.D. Williams followed with a sacrifice fly, allowing Bryan to score.

Rhoten completed the game when Heather Hicks lined out to shortstop and Hightower flied out to center field. Jana Pressley, who started on the mound for ACU, fell to 2-5 with the loss. She allowed 5 hits and 5 walks. Pressley gave up all six runs, but just three of the runs were earned. Misti Pryer was 2 for 3 on offense for the Wildcats, while Hicks and Melissa Williams each went 2 for 4.

Rowley led the Zias with 2 hits and 4 RBIs in 4 at bats. She also scored one run. Richardson was 2 for 4 with a run and an RBI. Ramirez, Rhoten and Murray registered one hit apiece.

The Zias return to action on Tuesday, April 16, with a double-header at Oklahoma Panhandle State University. Game time is scheduled for 12:00 noon (MDT). ENMU swept a double-header from OPSU, 9-0 and 11-2, at Zia Softball Field on Feb. 22.