Zias Lose First Game 5-3, Take Second Game 3-0, to Split Series at Tarleton

Box Score - Game 3 - TSU 5, ENMU 3
Box Score - Game 4 - ENMU 3, TSU 0

STEPHENVILLE, TEXAS — In almost identical fashion to the first day of the series, Eastern New Mexico University lost 5-3 in the opener and won the nightcap 3-0 against Tarleton State University on Saturday, Mar. 11 in a Lone Star Conference South Division double-header at the TSU Softball Complex. The Zias, who split the four-game weekend series, left TSU with an 20-12 overall record and a 2-2 LSC South record. The TexAnns finished the series with a record of 17-8 overall and a 2-2 record in the LSC South.

Natasha Lindsey (Sr., RHP, Auburn, WA/Tusculum College) started in the circle for Eastern in the first game, allowing only one hit through the first two innings. Christina Helland (Sr., LF, Albuquerque, NM/Rio Rancho HS) got the Zias on the scoreboard in the third inning, hitting her sixth homerun of the season. The TexAnns came back from the 1-0 deficit with four runs on five hits in the bottom of the third. Lindsay gave up an RBI single to Kelli Gayle, a two-RBI single to Amanda Smith and a two run homer to Ashely Bray. Amanda Nightingale (Sr., RHP, Mesquite, TX/North Central Texas College) came in relief for Lindsay to record the third out of the inning.

Nightingale gave up only one hit in three and a third innings, but was unable to record a win because of solid pitching by Tarleton’s Tamra Bradley. Eastern was able to add two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Kelsey Kubik (Jr., RF, Tucson, AZ/Pima College) and a bases loaded walk by Helland. The Zias were unable to add any runs, finishing the inning with three runners stranded.

Rosemary Moreno (Sr., RHP, Midland, TX/Midland HS) started the final game of the series, pitching a five-hit shut out for her 10th win of the year against five losses. Eastern took the lead in the first on Helland’s two-RBI homerun, her second of the day and third of the series. The Zias added a run in the third, as Kristina Goodman led off the inning with a triple and was able to tag home on Jessica Nocas’ (Sr., SS, Riverside, CA/Midland College) sacrifice fly for a 3-0 advantage. Moreno struck out eight batters while giving up only one walk in the complete game victory.

Helland went 3-7 at the plate in the double-header, recorded four RBIs and scoring two runs. In the four-game series, Helland batted .455 with seven RBIs and four runs scored. Zia lead-off batter, Goodman, was 4-8 on the day and scored twice. She led Eastern with a .667 batting average, including a triple and scoring six runs on the weekend. Nocas managed to bat .385 in the series, recording four RBIs and scoring once. Moreno pitched two complete game victories, giving up only two earned runs while striking out 12 batters. She leads the Zias with a 2.80 ERA and 83 strikeouts this season.

Eastern will return home for a non-conference double-header against New Mexico Highlands University on Tuesday, March 21 at 12 p.m. MST. ENMU is scheduled for a four-game weekend series against West Texas A&M University beginning on Friday, Mar. 24 at 12 p.m. MST at Zia Softball Field.