Athletic Report
March 22, 2002

JESSICA ROWLEY HITS BASES-LOADED TRIPLE AS ZIAS GAIN SPLIT WITH TAMU-KINGSVILLE
KINGSVILLE, TX – Jessica Rowley (Sr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas C.C.) went 3 of 4 with 4 RBIs, including a bases-loaded triple in the second inning, as Eastern New Mexico University won the second game of a double-header, 6-3, to split with Texas A&M University-Kingsville in Lone Star Conference action, Mar. 22.

In the opener, TAMU-Kingsville’s starting pitcher, Maria Gutierrez struck out 9 batters and allowed just 3 hits as the Javelinas shut out the Zias, 3-0. The double-header began the LSC South schedule for both teams. ENMU, ranked #12 in NCAA Division II, is now 17-12 overall and 1-1 in the LSC South. TAMUK is 27-12 on the season, including 1-1 in the LSC South. Eastern and TAMUK will play another double-header on Saturday, Mar. 23, with the first pitch set for 11:00 a.m. (MST).

Gutierrez controlled the first game, facing just 25 batters. Eastern’s only base runners were Bobbi Richardson (Fr., UT, Kerrville, TX/Tivy H.S.), Rachel Mohler (Sr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) and Dawn Murray (Jr., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.), who reached first on singles, and pinch-hitter Amanda Langford (Jr., OF, Mesquite, TX/Lon Morris J.C.), who walked.

The Javelinas scored one run in the first inning and added two runs in the fifth. Kingsville’s first run was scored by leadoff hitter Kelli Huston, as she walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch, and eventually came home on a single by Ria Hoog. A single by Mariana Casarez with two outs in the fifth inning was misplayed in the right field, and she advanced to second base. Casarez scored on a single by Sarah Norman, who later crossed the plate when Amanda Sustaita walked with the bases loaded.

Neither team had an extra-base hit in the opener. All 10 hits - 7 by the Javelinas - were by different players. Gutierrez improved to 13-6 with the win. Katina Arocha (Jr., RHP, San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris J.C.) struck out 3 batters and allowed 3 walks, fell to 2-1 for Eastern. Rowley led a solid overall performance by the Zias in the second game.

ENMU amassed 10 hits, including Rowley’s triple.The Zias also received 2 hits in 4 at bats from Murray and senior catcher Dalia Flores (Allen, TX/Vernon Regional J.C.), plus a 2 for 3 effort from Alison Montbriand (Sr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College). Richardson was 1 for 2 with an RBI and a sacrifice bunt. Murray also drove in a run. Both teams tallied a trio of runs in the second inning.

ENMU did most of its damage with two outs, although Flores singled to left field with one out in the stanza. After Vicki Davis (Jr., OF, Gilbert, AZ/Glendale C.C.) grounded out, Jessica Cook (Jr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris J.C.) walked and Montbriand singled. Rowley followed with her bases-clearing triple to right center.

TAMU-Kingsville equalized in the bottom of the stanza when Sustaita doubled in Stacey Fleming with one out and Kelli Huston drove in two runs with a two-out, bases-loaded single. Hoog singled for TAMUK with one out in the bottom of the third inning, and was the final batter faced by ENMU starter Lauren King (So., RHP, La Mirada, CA/La Serna H.S.).

Maegan Rhoten (So., RHP, Albuquerque, NM/Saint Pius X H.S.) replaced King, and threw a wild pitch before striking out Fleming and Sustaita. Rhoten threw the final 4 2/3 innings, and allowed no hits or runs, while striking out 4 batters. She gave up 2 walks. Rhoten is 6-3 on the season.

The Zias moved in front for good in the top of the fourth inning. Davis was hit by a pitch to open the stanza. One out later, Montbriand singled to left field and Rowley followed with another single, driving in Davis with the go-ahead run. Richardson brought Montbriand home on a single to left, and Murray drove in Rowley with a two-out single to center field. Gutierrez entered the game for starter Mehgan King with one out and two runners on base during Eastern’s fourth-inning surge.

Only one of the runners went on to score, as Gutierrez struck out two of the three batters she faced that inning. She finished the game with 5 strikeouts, and gave up just three hits, including two singles in the top of the seventh.

The Javelinas did not have a player with more than one hit during the game, as Rhoten and Lauren King combined on a 4-hitter for the Zias. ENMU also played errorless ball in the nightcap. TAMUK made one error during the game, but had no errors in the opener.