Athletic Report
March 30, 2002

RAMIREZ HITS BASES-CLEARING DOUBLE AS ZIAS TAKE FIRST GAME OF DOUBLE-HEADER
Angelo State Wins Second Game, 3-2
PORTALES, NM – Sarah Ramirez (Fr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Providence H.S.) smacked a bases-clearing double with two outs in the first inning, as Eastern New Mexico University took a 3-0 lead on its way to an 8-5 win over Angelo State University, in the first game of a Lone Star Conference double-header, March 30 at Zia Softball Field.

Angelo State won the second game, 3-2, after center fielder Michelle Hofmann threw out the tying run in the bottom of the seventh. The double-header left both teams 4-4 in the LSC South. ENMU, which won 3 of 4 games in the series, moved to 22-15 on the season. ASU ended the series with a 17-15 overall record.

In the opener, the double by Ramirez was the key hit in a 4-run first inning for the Zias. Jessica Rowley (Sr., SS, Dallas, OR/Clackamas H.S.) started the inning with a single. Bobbi Richardson (Fr., UT, Kerrville, TX/Tivy H.S.) walked, and Rachel Mohler (Sr., 3B, Las Vegas, NV/Green Valley H.S.) hit into a fielder’s choice. Rowley was thrown out on the play. Dawn Murray (Jr., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad H.S.) flew out to left field, but Maegan Rhoten (So., RHP/LF, Albuquerque, NM/Saint Pius X H.S.) followed with a single down the left field line, bringing home Richardson with the Zias’ first run. Kim Barajas (Fr., C/3B, Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo H.S.) singled to load the bases, then Ramirez blasted her 3-run double.

The big inning gave ENMU a 4-1 lead. ASU scored the game’s initial run in the top of the first inning. Hofmann walked with one out, before scoring on a triple by Amberleigh Berry. Angelo State tied the game, 4-4, with three runs in the top of the third inning. All three runs were unearned, as the Rambelles took advantage of three ENMU errors during the stanza. Hofmann led off the third inning with a single to center field. She moved to third when Rhoten threw the ball away on a sacrifice by Berry. Two more errors ensued, helping Hofmann and Berry scored the first two runs of the inning.

The Zias then recorded the first out of the stanza, before Melissa Rodriguez scored on a single by Sonia Perez. Mandee Gamboa grounded out and Perez was caught stealing to end the inning. Eastern regained the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third. All three runs were scored with two outs, as Rowley drove in one run with an infield single, and the other two runs crossed home plate on an error.

Richardson hit into a fielder’s choice, but the second baseman misplayed the ball and Ramirez and Alison Montbriand (Sr., 2B, Austin, TX/Hill College) scored. Each team added one run in the fifth. Rodriguez hit a solo homer for ASU’s run, while Vicki Davis (Jr., OF, Gilbert, AZ/Glendale C.C.) scored on a sacrifice fly by Richardson for ENMU.

The key defensive play of the game occurred in the top of the sixth, after ASU loaded the bases on three consecutive one-out singles. Lauren King (So., RHP, La Mirada, CA/La Serna H.S.) replaced Rhoten on the mound, and quickly got out of the inning when Hofmann lined into a double play. Mohler snagged the ball above her head for the second out of the inning, then threw to Murray, who doubled off Wing at first base.

Rhoten improved to 9-4, while King earned her second save. Rhoten was 3 for 4 at the plate, helping the Zias amass 11 hits. Rowley also went 3 for 4, while Barajas was 2 for 3. Perez and LaTisha Hernandez each went 2 for 3 for ASU. Jessica Atchley fell to 9-5 with the loss.

In the second game, neither team scored until the fifth inning, when the Zias took a 1-0 lead. Richardson reached first on a fielder’s choice and advanced the rest of the way home when the Rambelles committed errors on the next two plays. Angelo State moved ahead, 2-1, in the sixth inning, as the Rambelles pounded out 4 hits. Berry drove in Wing with a single to right field, and Hoffman scored the go-ahead run when Berry was thrown out stealing second base.

Rowley, at shortstop, handled the throw from Barajas, but had to take a couple of steps before tagging Berry. Hoffman beat the return thrown home. Ramirez walked with one out in the bottom of the inning to set up the tying score. She advanced to second when Montbriand bunted the ball toward third.

Dalia Flores (Sr., C, Allen, TX/Vernon Regional J.C.) supplied a pinch-hit double to right field, allowing Ramirez to score. Gamboa doubled to right center with one out in the top of the seventh. King, who started on the mound for ENMU, was replaced by Rhoten. Collin Lange grounded out, as Gamboa advanced to third. Hernandez provided the game-winning hit, a double to left field.

Richardson opened the bottom of the 7th with a double, and Moore ran for her at second. Rhoten doubled off Hofmann’s glove in left center on out later. Moore, who had to wait until Hofmann failed to catch the ball before heading to third, rounded the bag and went home. She was thrown out on a close relay throw from Wing to Rodriguez. Murray grounded out to end the game.

The Rambelles edged ENMU, 8-7, in hits, but had to overcome three 3 while the Zias played errorless ball. Wing and Berry each recorded 2 hits for ASU, while Ramirez was 2 of 2 for ENMU. Lange earned the victory and improved to 4-5 on the season. King took the loss, as she fell to 10-5. Atchley led all pitchers with 5 strikeouts in the game.

ENMU hosts another LSC South series this coming weekend against the Texas Woman’s University Pioneers. The teams will play two games on Friday, April 5, following by two more games on Saturday, April 6. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. (MST) both days.