Texas Woman's Defeats Zias, 6-0 and 11-3,
to open Lone Star Conference Series
Russ-Keller Holds ENMU to Five Hits and Strikes Out Six

Box Score - Game 1 - TWU 6, ENMU 0
Box Score - Game 2 - TWU 11, ENMU 3 (6 innings)

PORTALES, N.M. — Sophomore pitcher Lindsy Russ-Keller threw a complete-game shutout for Texas Woman's University in the opener, then the Pioneers took advantage of 10 hits, five walks and two errors in the second game, to sweep a Lone Star Conference double-header from Eastern New Mexico University, 6-0 and 11-3, on Friday, Mar. 18. The second game ended in the sixth inning on the run rule.

Russ-Keller struck out six batters and did not allow a walk. She improved to 10-4 in the circle this season. The Pioneers moved to 16-8 overall, 4-2 in the LSC South. ENMU dropped to 13-16, including 0-6 in the LSC South.

In the first game, the Pioneers scored twice with two outs in the first inning, then added one run in the third inning and another in the fourth. Two more TWU players crossed the plate in the fifth stanza to complete the scoring.

Courtney Martin hit a bunt single and stole second base with one out in the first inning. She scored the evening’s initial run on a triple by Amanda Danesi one out later. Amanda Arnold followed with a double to center field to score Danesi for a 2-0 lead. Megan Helms grounded out to end the inning.

The Pioneers left two runners on base in the second inning, then needed three hits and an error to score just one run in the third. Rhonda Sherman struck out to open the inning, but Danesi and Arnold hit back-to-back singles. Tiffany Nance, who pinch-ran for Danesi, moved to second on the single by Arnold, advanced to third on an error, and scored on a single by Sarah White.

In the fourth inning, Martin singled with one out, and later scored on a double by Sherman. The Pioneers recorded their final two runs in the fifth inning, when Easter hit an RBI double and Rachel Townsend executed a squeeze bunt.

Tina Whitt (Jr., DH, Riverside, CA/Midland College) went 2 for 3 against Russ-Keller, and was the only Zia with more than one hit in Game #1. Danesi was 3 for 3 with a run and an RBI for TWU, while Martin, White and Easter each went 2 for 3.

In the second game, TWU trailed 1-0 after Christina Helland (Fr., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Rio Rancho HS) led off the game with a triple to right center, then scored when Adriana Reyes (Jr., 3B/SS, El Paso, TX/El Paso CC) followed with a single. The Pioneers answered with a run in the bottom of the first inning, before moving in front with three runs in the second.

Townsend tripled and scored on a wild pitch to start the bottom of the first. Danesi and Arnold recorded consecutive singles with two outs, but Danesi was thrown out at third on an attempted steal to end the threat.

In the second stanza, Helms doubled and scored one batter later, when an error allowed her to reach the final two bases. White, who hit the ball to third on the play, was credited with a fielder’s choice and scored when the Easter blasted a double to left center. After a sacrifice bunt by Amanda Emory, Townsend drove in Easter with a double to left field. Townsend was thrown out at third attempting to stretch the hit into a triple.

The Zias cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the third inning. Reyes walked with one out, moved to second on a single by Tori Picazo (So., RF, McKinney, TX/Western Texas College), reached third when Whitt’s infield ball was misplayed at second base, and scored on a throwing error by pitcher Amanda Chambless on a squeeze bunt by Jessica Nocas (Jr., SS, Riverside, CA/Midland College).

TWU gained control of the game with five runs in the third. The Pioneers had just one hit in the inning — a two-run single by Townsend — but took advantage of four walks, two wild pitches and an erro on a fly ball to left field.

Eastern remained in a 9-2 deficit until the Zias tacked on one run in the top of the sixth. Krystal Echavarria (Fr., 1B, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS) singled to start the inning. She scored on a two-out double by Courtney McClasky (Jr., C/DP, Kellere, TX/Morningside College).

The Pioneers closed out the game by adding two runs in the bottom of the inning. The first run was scored by Emory on a ground out by Martin, and the second run was recorded by Sherman on a ball hit down the right field line by Arnold. Stevie Smith also scored on Arnold’s hit, but the game officially ended on the run rule when Sherman crossed the plate.

Townsend went 3 for 3 with three RBIs in the second game, while Arnold was 2 for 3. Adina Taul (Jr., CF, Placentia, CA/Midland College) went 2 for 3 at the plate for ENMU and was the only Zia with more than one hit in the nightcap.

ENMU and Texas Woman’s are slated to play another double-header on Saturday, Mar. 19. Game time is scheduled for 12 p.m. MST.