Zias Sweep Double-Header from Adams State
ENMU Wins Opener 6-5, Takes Second game 10-0 on Run Rule

Box Score - Game 1 - ENMU 6, ASC 5
Box Score - Game 2 - ENMU 10, ASC 0 (5 innings, run rule)

PORTALES, N.M. — Junior pitcher Amanda Nightingale (RHP, Mesquite, TX/North Central Texas College) struck out nine batters, and Tracy Jordan (Jr., 2B, Rosamond, CA/Desert HS) drove in the winning run on a single with two outs in the seventh inning, as Eastern New Mexico University edged Adams State College, 6-5, in the first game of a double-header, Feb. 23 at Zia Softball Field. Jordan’s late-game heroics saved the Zias, who scored five runs in the first inning, but didn't score again until the bottom of the seventh.

Eastern won the second game, 10-0, on the run rule in five innings. Junior pitcher Patricia Gonzales (RHP, Los Angeles, CA/Western Texas College) threw a five-hitter, while the Zias scored three runs in the third inning and tacked on seven runs in the fourth inning. ENMU improve to 8-7 on the season. Adams State fell to 2-2.

The Zias connected for five hits in the first inning of the double-header. Christina Helland (Fr., 3B, Albuquerque, NM/Rio Rancho HS) started things off with a single, then Adriana Reyes (Jr., SS, El Paso, TX/El Paso CC) walked. Tina Whitt (Jr., C/DP, Riverside, CA/Midland College) popped out to third base, but Tori Picazo (So., LF, McKinney, TX/Western Texas College) bunted the runners to second and third.

Elizabeth Whipkey (Fr., 1B, Orange, CA/Villa Park HS) drove in the game’s first two runs with a double to right center. Jordan followed with an RBI single. Kristin MacRunnels (Fr., RF, Canyon County, CA/Saugus HS) grounded out, but Whipkey scored on the play for a 4-0 lead. Adina Taul (Jr., CF, Placentia, CA/Midland College) completed the first-inning onslaught with a single to right field that scored Jordan from second base.

The score remained 5-0 until the fourth inning, when Adams State scored four times to get back in the game. Tawnya Webber hit a leadoff double to right center, then scored when Barbi Scott blasted a homer to center field. Jacquie Rhomberg hit a two-run double later in the inning.

ASC came within inches of tying the game in the fifth. With one out, Webber walked, and Kara Lee Downing entered the game as a pinch-runner. Scott pounded another shot into center field, but Taul caught the ball against the yellow covering marking the top of the fence. Lacey Wooley struck out to end the threat.

The Grizzlies scored an unearned run in the top of the sixth. Kira Zeiter doubled with two outs, then gave way to pinch-runner Stephanie Williams. Rhomberg hit a fly ball down the left field line, but Picazo dropped the ball, allowing Williams to score.

ENMU had a chance to break the 5-5 tie in the bottom of the inning, after ASC committed two errors with two outs. Krystal Echavarria (Fr., DP/1B, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS) reached on a throwing error by pitcher Amy Cousin, and Helland obtained first base on an error by the shortstop. Reyes popped up to Cousin to end the inning.

Whitt singled to start the seventh inning for ENMU. She advanced to second on a wild pitch, then went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Picazo. Whipkey singled to third, but Whitt was unable to score. Jordan, who hit two game-winning RBIs against New Mexico Highlands University on Friday (Feb. 18), singled to shallow left field to drive Whitt home.

In the second game, Gonzales limited Adams State to five singles and one walk. Two hits came in the second inning, when the Grizzlies left two runners on base. Two more hits were recorded by ASC in the fifth inning, as runners eventually reached second and third with two outs, but Scott grounded out to Jordan at second base to end the game.

After starting slowly, the Zias pounded out eight hits. ENMU earned its first hit, a single by Helland, with one out in the third inning. Reyes went to first on a fielder’s choice, as Helland was thrown out at second. Whitt singled to put runners at first and second, then Picazo smacked her third home run of the season.

The Zias added seven runs in the fourth inning on four hits and two errors. Helland, Picazo and Taul hit RBI singles during the inning, while Jordan drove in a run on a ground out and Whitt brought home a run on a bases-loaded walk. Reyes scored on a sacrifice fly by Whipkey, with Whitt also scoring on the play after the ball was dropped in left field.

Helland was 4 for 7 on the day with two runs and an RBI. Whitt was 3 for 5 with three runs and one RBI, while Whipkey went 3 for 5 with two runs and three RBIs. Picazo totaled three hits in six at bats, while recording three runs. She also registered four RBIs, all in the second game. Jordan was 2 for 4 with a run and two RBIs in the opener.

Nightingale improved to 4-1 with her nine-strikeout win in the first game. She allowed seven hits and two walks, while throwing 134 pitches during the game.

Gonzales moved to 3-3 with the shutout in the nightcap. She registered just one strikeout, but allowed only one walk. Cousin (0-1) took the loss in the first game, while Jessica McLaughlin (0-1) was the losing pitcher in the second game. ASC’s top hitter for the day was Zeiter, who went 3 for 5 with one run scored. Scott was 2 for 4 in the opener, but 0 for 3 in the second game.

ENMU will travel to Irving, Texas, for the Lone Star Conference First Pitch Tournament this weekend. The event features LSC South teams against LSC North teams. ENMU will take on Southwestern Oklahoma State University on Friday, Feb. 25 at 9 a.m. MST, then face Midwestern State University at 1 p.m. MST. The action continues on Saturday, Feb. 26, when the Zias will play Cameron University at 9 a.m. MST and the University of Central Oklahoma at 11 a.m MST.