Athletic Report
February 22, 2002

ZIAS TAKE PAIR OF RUN-RULE VICTORIES FROM OKLAHOMA PANHANDLE STATE
PORTALES, NM – Lauren King (So., RHP, La Mirada, CA/La Serna H.S.) gave up just two runs in 9 innings, while earning victories in both games of the double-header, as Eastern New Mexico University defeated Oklahoma Panhandle State University, 9-0 and 11-2 in non-conference games, Feb. 22 at Zia Softball Field. ENMU, which improved to 10-6 overall, won both games on the run rule in five innings.

The Zias received home runs from Kim Barajas (Fr., 3B/C, Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo H.S.) and Vicki Davis (Jr., RF, Gilbert, AZ/Glendale C.C.) in the first game, and from Jessica Rowley (Sr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) in the second game. Rowley’s 2-run homer with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning took Eastern from a 7-run lead to a 9-run lead, putting the 8-run rule into effect and ending the game.

In the opener, Eastern exploded for seven runs in the second inning, as the Zias pounded out 5 hits and took advantage of two OPSU errors. Barajas opened the inning with her home run, then Dalia Flores was hit by a pitch. Davis followed with her home run, as the Zias took a 3-0 lead. Rachel Mohler (Sr., 1B/3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) and Rowley each drove in another run with a double during the inning.

Eastern added two more runs in the fourth, as OPSU gave up two hits and committed two errors during the inning. Flores brought in one run with a walk and the other run scored when Davis reached base on an error.

Maegan Rhoten (So., P/LF, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X H.S.) relieved King at the start of the fifth inning. Rhoten struck out one batter and held OPSU scoreless to end the game. Panhandle State scored two runs in the first inning of the second game. Courtney Cluck doubled to center field with one out, then scored on a single by Andrea Limoges. Limoges scored later in the inning on a double steal.

The Zias answered with one run in the bottom of the first inning. Rachel Mohler singled with one out, advanced to second on a ground out, and scored on a single by Rowley. Eastern put together another big second inning, scoring five runs on just one hit and two errors. Rhoten provided the only hit, a 2-run double. Sarah Ramirez (Fr., DH/OF, San Antonio, TX/Providence H.S.) added a sacrifice fly, and ENMU took advantage of two walks. Two ENMU runs in the third inning and another run in the fourth extended the lead to 9-2.

Jessica Cook (Jr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris J.C.) hit an RBI double in the third and went on to score. Rowley doubled in the fourth inning, reached third on a single by Davis and scored when Flores hit into a fielder’s choice. With one out in the bottom of the fifth inning, Rhoten doubled to right center.

Amanda Langford (Jr., OF, Mesquite, TX/Lon Morris J.C.) pinch ran for Rhoten and scored when Rowley hit the game-ending home run to center field. Rowley was 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs in the second game. Cook was 2 for 2 with a run and an RBI, and Rhoten was 2 for 4 with a run and 2 RBIs. In the first game, Barajas went 2 for 3, scored a run and drove in 3 runs.

Mohler was 2 for 3 with a run and an RBI, while Davis went 1 for 3 with a run and 3 RBIs. No one recorded more than one hit in either game for Panhandle State. King improved to 6-1 with the victories. She threw the first four innings of the opener, and tossed all five innings of the second game. She struck out a 5 batters during the double-header, while allowing just 6 hits.

Rhoten combined with King for a three-hitter in the opener. King hrew a 4-hitter in the second game. Helana Dinstel and Limoges suffered the pitching losses for OPSU. Eastern collected 10 hits n the opener and produced 13 hits in Game #2.

The Zias committed just one error on the day, hile the Lady Aggies made four errors in each game. ENMU returns to action Mar. 1-3 at the NCAA Division II Lead-Off Classic in Irving, Texas. he Lead-Off Classic will feature 24 of the top Division II teams in the nation, with pool play scheduled for Mar. 1-2, and bracket play set for Mar. 2-3. --- 30 ---