Zias Pound 31 Hits in Double-Header Sweep, 18-7 and 13-12, over Adams State

Box Score - Game 1 - ENMU 18, ASC 7
Box Score - Game 2 - ENMU 13, ASC 12

ALAMOSA, COLO. — Courtney McClasky (Sr., C, Keller, TX/Morningside College) hit four homeruns in Eastern New Mexico University’s double-header sweep, 18-7 and 13-12, over Adams State College on Tuesday, Mar. 28 at the ASC Softball Field. Three of McClasky’s four homers came in the first game as the Zias improved their record to 26-12 overall. The Grizzlies, who compete in the Rocky Mountain Conference, dropped their overall record to 9-21.

Trailing 4-3 after two innings, Eastern took command of the first game with an 11-run outburst in the top of the third. ENMU had tied the score on the first of three ASC fielding errors in the third. An RBI single by Kelsey Kubik (Jr., RF, Tucson, AZ/Pima College) provided the go-ahead run and McClasky followed a Tracy Jordan (Sr., 2B, Rosamond, CA/Desert HS) single with her first homer of the day, a grand slam for a 9-4 lead. Eastern added five more runs, taking advantage of fielding errors, a wild pitch, and Kubik’s second RBI single of the inning.

Adams State cut the lead to nine runs, 14-5, with a solo homer by Barbi Scott in the bottom of the third. In the fourth, McClasky hit her second homer of the game, a solo shot to left field. A two-run homer by the Grizzlies’ Jacquie Rhomberg provided a 15-7 score. McClasky’s third blast of the game was a three-run shot in fifth for the 18-7 score and a run-rule Zia victory.

Natasha Lindsey (Sr., RHP, Auburn, WA/Tusculum College) recorded the victory (8-4), although, she pitched only two-thirds of the second inning, after relieving starter Amanda Nightingale (Sr., RHP, Mesquite, TX/North Central Texas College). Rosemary Moreno (Sr., RHP, Midland, TX/Midland College) closed out the game for Eastern, pitching the final three innings to record her first save of her career at ENMU.

The Zias took an early lead in the second game, scoring two runs in the first on a Jessica Nocas (Sr., SS, Riverside, CA/Midland College) RBI single and a double by Kubik that drove in Nocas. The Grizzlies cut the lead in half with Rhomberg’s second homer of the day. Eastern was able to get a run in the second off a hit, a fielding error and a wild pitch by ASC’s Megan Roberts. ENMU starter Moreno provided a scoreless third to allow the Zias to maintain a 3-1 advantage.

A five-run third inning included a two-RBI single by Brianna Darnell (Fr., 3B, Farmington, NM/Piedra Vista HS) and RBI singles by Christina Helland (So., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Rio Rancho HS) and Nocas for an 8-1 lead. The Grizzlies came roaring back in the third with seven runs as Scott hit a two-RBI double, a two-RBI single by Mandie Roark and a three-run shot to left field by Nicole Barela to tie the game at 8-8.

The Zias retook the lead in the fourth on an RBI single by Darnell. ASC scored two runs in the bottom of the inning to attain its first lead of the day, 10-9. McClasky’s fourth homer of the day was a two-run shot as Eastern recaptured the lead, 11-10, in the sixth. A two-run homer by Ivy Hansen allowed Adams to retake the lead at 12-11. With two outs and two on, Eastern’s Kubik knocked in the tying and go-ahead runs with a double to right-center field and the double-header sweep as Moreno was able to strand two runners in the bottom of the seventh for her 13th victory against five defeats.

McClasky finished the day with five hits in seven at bats, providing 11 RBIs, nine in the opener, and scoring four times, all on her homeruns. Kubik, who was named the Lone Star Conference South Division Hitter of the Week last week, was 7-8 at the plate with five RBIs and three runs scored. With the sweep, Eastern has won seven consecutive games.

ENMU will remain on the road with a weekend series at Abilene Christian University starting on Friday, Mar. 31 at 4 p.m. MST. The LSC South series will conclude on Saturday, April 1 at 12 p.m. MST. The Zias will return home for a weekend series against Texas Woman’s University on Friday and Saturday, April 7th and 8th at 12 p.m. MST on both days.