Zias Collect Pair of Run-Rule Wins over CSW
Gonzales and Lindsey Post Victories for ENMU

Box Score - Game 1 - ENMU 12, CSW 2 (5 innings, run rule)
Box Score - Game 2 - ENMU 9, CSW 1 (6 innings, run rule)

PORTALES, N.M. — Strong pitching and a solid offensive attack led Eastern New Mexico University to a double-header, run-rule sweep of the College of the Southwest, 12-2 (5 innings) and 9-1 (6 innings), on Saturday, Mar. 5 at Zia Softball Field. Eastern improved its season record to 12-9, surpassing the Zias’ win total from the entire 2004 season, when ENMU finished 11-36. CSW dropped to 4-6 in its inaugural season of intercollegiate competition.

Patricia Gonzales (Jr., RHP, Los Angeles, CA/Western Texas College) threw a four-hitter in the opener, as she improved to 4-4 on the season. Natasha Lindsey (Jr., RHP, Auburn, WA/Tusculum College) had nearly complete control on the mound in the second game, giving up only one run, four hits and two walks in six innings. Lindsey also achieved six strikeouts and evened up her win-loss record at 1-1.

Gonzales kept the Lady Mustangs scoreless through the first three innings. She allowed two runs in the fourth stanza, then faced just three batters in the sixth to record her sixth complete game in eight starts this season.

The Zias took control of the game in the first inning, scoring six runs on only three hits. Eastern was able to load the bases before getting its first hit of the game, taking advantage of an error, two walks, and a wild pitch. A single by Tori Picazo (So., DP, McKinney, TX/Western Texas College) scored two runners, and Elizabeth Whipkey (Fr., 1B, Orange, CA/Villa Park HS) knocked in two more runs with a single, to give the Zias a 4-0 lead with no outs in the inning.

Tracy Jordan (Jr., 2B, Rosamond, CA/Desert HS) hit a sacrifice fly to center field to knock in Jessica Nocas (Jr., SS, Riverside, CA/Midland College). A sacrifice bunt by Kristin MacRunnels (Fr., RF, Canyon Country, CA/Saugus HS) scored Whipkey, as the Zias sent nine batters to the plate during the inning.

Christina Helland (Fr., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Rio Rancho HS), who improved her team- leading batting average to .448 by going 4 of 6 on the day, led off the bottom of the second with a double, and later scored on a grounder by Tina Whitt (Jr., C, Riverside, CA/Midland College). Adriana Reyes (Jr., 3B, El Paso, TX/El Paso CC) scored on a single by Picazo, who eventually crossed the plate on a single by MacRunnels. Adina Taul (Jr., CF, Placentia, CA/Midland College) hit a two-RBI single to complete the five-run inning and give ENMU an 11-0 lead.

Eastern added another run in the third inning on a single by Nocas, who was 3 for 3 in the game, with an RBI and two runs scored. CSW scored twice in the fourth, but couldn’t get within eight runs to avoid the run-rule. The game ended after the Lady Mustangs failed to score in the fifth inning.

Nocas was the only Zia with three hits in the opener, but Picazo and Jordan each finished with two hits. Picazo drove in three runs and scored twice, while Jordan contributed one run and one RBI.

In the second game, Eastern was down 1-0 after the first inning, and the Zias were kept hitless by Carolyn Garcia through the first three stanzas. The Lady Mustangs’ run was scored by Marci Shepherd, who walked with two outs, then scored on a double by Angela Piper.

ENMU’s offense went from dormancy to full power by exploding for eight runs in the bottom of the fourth, starting with an RBI single by Krystal Echavarria (Fr., 1B, Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad HS). Helland drove in another run and later scored on a single by Picazo. Helland recorded three hits in four at bats during the game.

The Zias still led by seven runs, 8-1, heading into the bottom of the sixth inning. Picazo and Nocas singled to open the stanza, with Picazo advancing to third on an error by the shortstop. Jordan completed the run-rule victory by hitting another single to bring home Picazo with the Zias’ ninth run.

ENMU goes back on the road on Wednesday, Mar. 9 for a double-header against Oklahoma Panhandle State University. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. MST. On Friday, Mar. 11 and Saturday, Mar. 12, the Zias will play Lone Star Conference South Division double headers at defending NCAA Division II national champion Angelo State University, starting at 12 p.m. MST each day.