Lauren King Throws 2-Hitter, as Zias Split Double-Header with Incarnate Word
Barajas, Rhoten Belt Homers in 4-0 ENMU Win

PORTALES, NM – Junior pitcher Lauren King (RHP, La Mirada, CA/La Serna HS) threw a complete-game two-hitter, leading Eastern New Mexico University to a 4-0 win over the University of the Incarnate Word, in the second game of a double-header, Feb. 13, at Zia Softball Field. In Eastern’s win, Kim Barajas (So., 3B, Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo HS) smacked a two-run homer and Maegan Rhoten (Jr., RHP/LF, Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X HS) pounded out a solo home run for the Zias. In the opener, Incarnate Word defeated the Zias, 8-2.

At the conclusion of the double-header, ENMU was 5-6 on the season. Incarnate Word moved to 4-3 overall.

King allowed just two singles in winning the second game. She struck out 5 batters and allowed one walk. UIW’s first single was by Stephanie Flores, who hit the ball through the left side of the infield with one out in the fourth inning. The second hit for the Crusaders came in the fifth inning and was supplied by Michelle De La Cruz on another ball through the left side.

The second game featured just two hits between the two teams in the first three innings. Bobbi Richardson (So., DP, Kerrville, TX/Tivy HS) hit a leadoff double in the second inning for ENMU, and Nikki Gay (Fr., CF, Schertz, TX/Samuel Clemens HS) added a bunt single for the Zias in the third inning.

Eastern finally pushed across the first run in the bottom of the fourth. Barajas walked to start the inning, then gave way to pinch-runner Amanda Langford (Sr., OF, Mesquite, TX/Lon Morris JC). One out later, Richardson hit her second double of the game, as Langford advanced to third base. Dawn Murray (Sr., 1B/P, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS) placed a single through the left side to drive in Langford for a 1-0 lead.

The Zias took control of the game with three runs in the fifth. Gay received a walk with one out, then stole second base. With two outs, Barajas smashed a line drive homer to center field, giving ENMU a 3-0 lead. Rhoten followed Barajas by sending the ball well past the left field fence for a solo homer.

Richardson was 2 for 3 for ENMU, while Gay and Barajas each went 1 for 2 with a run scored. Rhoten was 1 for 3 during the game.

In the first game, Incarnate Word connected for 16 hits, while ENMU amassed 11 hits. The Zias struck first by scoring two runs in the second stanza. Rhoten opened the inning with a solo homer, then Richardson and Murray both singled. Richardson scored with two outs on an error by the shortstop, who tried to throw out Jessica Cook (Sr., OF, San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris JC) on an infield grounder, but send the ball past first base.

The Crusaders plated four runs in the top of the third inning. With one out, Amber Garcia walked, reached second on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Flores. One out later, Toni Timaeus received a base and balls. De La Cruz sent a grounder between first and second that should have been the third out, but an error allowed Flores to score on the play. UIW tallied three unearned runs in the inning.

Soleivi Hernandez singled, stole second and crossed the plate on a single by Garcia in the sixth inning. Incarnate Word closed out the scoring with a trio of runs in the seventh.
Jennifer Bocanegra doubled to left field to start the inning. The Crusaders amassed six hits during the stanza, including RBI singles by De La Cruz and Vanessa Botello. The other run scored on a throwing error by catcher Elizabeth Navarro (Jr., San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris JC) on a base-stealing attempt.

Timaeus went 3 for 3 in the opener. She also scored twice for UIW. Laurie Keilholz provided three hits in four at bats. Hernandez, Garcia, Flores and Bocanegra each recorded two hits for the Crusaders. Eight of Incarnate Word’s nine batters registered a hit during the game.

Dawn Murray paced the ENMU attack with three hits in four at bats. Rhoten finished the game 2 for 3, while Richardson went 2 for 4.

UIW starting pitcher Casey Gross (3-1) struck out 10 Zias on her way to the win in Game #1. She allowed just two walks, and only one of Eastern’s two runs was earned. Rhoten took the loss, and fell to 3-2 on the season. King upped her record to 2-2 with the win in Game #2, while Jennifer Benevides took the loss to fall to 1-2.

The Zias will return to action this weekend at the Lone Star Conference Softball Jamboree at Southwest Park in Irving, Texas. The tournament gets underway on Friday, Feb. 14 and is slated to continue through Saturday, Feb. 15. All games will match LSC South teams against teams from the LSC North.

ENMU will take on Northeastern State (11 a.m. MST) and Southeastern Oklahoma (1 p.m. MST) on Friday, before playing Southwestern Oklahoma (9 a.m. MST) and Central Oklahoma (11 a.m. MST) on Saturday. Games during the Jamboree will not count in the divisional standings.