Texas Woman's Sweeps Double-Header from Eastern New Mexico University

DENTON, TX – Texas Woman’s University hit three homers and turned four double plays in the opener, then scored nine runs on nine hits in the second game, as the Pioneers swept a Lone Star Conference double-header from Eastern New Mexico University, 13-3 and 9-1, at Pioneer Field. TWU won both games on the run rule in six innings to improve to 26-11-1 overall, including 7-1 in the LSC South. ENMU fell to 21-20 on the season, 1-7 in the LSC South.

In the first game, Jami Ingram and Stefani Easter and Nikki Boudreaux each hit a homer for Texas Woman’s. Ingram hit a two-run blast in the fourth inning, and Easter hit a solo homer with two outs in the sixth inning. Boudreaux ended the game with a three-run shot to center field in the sixth inning that put the run rule into effect.

The Pioneers trailed 1-0 after Nikki Gay (Fr., CF, Schertz, TX/Samuel Clemens HS) singled, stole second and third, and scored on a single by Dawn Murray (Sr., 3B/1B, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS) in the first inning. TWU tied in the game in the bottom of the inning, then took a 4-1 lead with three runs in the third. The Pioneers also plated four runs in the fourth, one run in the fifth and four runs in the sixth.

TWU’s three homers set a school record, while Imgram set a school record with her seventh home run of the season. Sascha Taylor, who went 2 for 2 with three runs, tied a TWU record with four stolen bases. The Pioneers were 8 of 9 on stolen base attempts during the game.

Boudreaux was 3 for 3 with two runs and three RBIs. Ingram went 2 for 3 with a run and four RBIs, while Jennifer Collins finished 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs. TWU totaled 15 hits during the game.

For the Zias, Gay completed with first game with a 2 for 2 performance that included two runs, a double and two stolen bases. Kim Barajas (So., DP/3B, Alamogordo, NM/Alamogordo HS) was 2 for 3, including a two-RBI double in the fifth. Murray also went 2 for 3 for the Zias. TWU’s four double plays helped limit Eastern to just three runs on nine hits.

In the second game, TWU surged out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. All three runs were unearned, as ENMU committed two errors. A bunt single by Collins drove in Courtney Martin with the first run. Megan Helms brought home the final two runs with a single down the right field line. Collins and Ingram scoredon the play.

Eastern scored its only run in the top of the second. Tracy Jordan pounded a double to left field with two outs. Misty Torrez (Jr., SS, Flagstaff, AZ/Glendale CC) followed with a walk, and Gay was hit by a pitch. Jessica Cook (Sr., RF, San Antonio, TX/Lon Morris JC) singled to center, with Jordan scoring on the play. Torrez also attempted to score, but was thrown out at the plate.

TWU pitcher Devin Blew shut down the Zias the rest of the way. She held ENMU to five hits during the contest, while earning three strikeouts and allowing one walk. She improved to 3-6 on the season.

Eastern starter Lauren King (Jr., RHP, La Mirada, CA/La Serna HS) gave up six runs (two earned) in five innings, and fell to 8-9. She allowed four hits, had five strikeouts and walked four batters. Reliever Tonie Hutzler (Fr., RHP, Castroville, TX/Medina Valley HS) gave up the final three runs on five hits.

The Pioneers took advantage of three ENMU errors. TWU also benefited from four stolen bases, including a pair by Teresa Flores. The Pioneers plated two runs in the third inning for a 5-1 lead, then tacked on a single run in the fourth and three runs in the sixth.
Collins was 2 for 2 with two runs and three RBIs. Ingram added two hits in three at bats, to go with one run and two RBIs. Helms was 1 for 3 and registered three RBIs. No one had more than one hit for Eastern. Jordan and Meagan Rhoten (Jr., LF/RHP) each contributed one double for the only extra-base hits of the game.

The Zias play again on Friday, Apr. 4, and Saturday, Apr. 5, in a four-game LSC South series against Abilene Christian University at Zia Softball Field. Game time on Friday is scheduled for 1 p.m. (MST), with Saturday’s double-header set for 12 noon (MST).