Zias gain split at UT-Permian Basin

Freedom New Mexico

ODESSA, Texas — Eastern New Mexico University scored twice on a two-out error in the bottom of the ninth inning on Friday to pull out a 6-5 win over host Texas-Permian Basin in the Falcons’ triangular.

Earlier, ENMU (3-9) was shut out by East Central 4-0. The Zias play the same teams today, facing East Central at 10:30 a.m. (MST) and UTPB at 2:30 p.m.

With the international tiebreaker rule in effect in the extra innings — the player who made the third out in the previous inning is placed at second base — the Falcons (6-11) took the lead in the top of the ninth on a steal of home by Tomie Ellard. In the bottom half, with Emily Livingston on second, Melanie Alderette bunted her to third and reached safely on a fielder’s choice.

Alderette then stole second before Permian Basin’s Desiree Valero got a flyout and strikeout. Both runs scored, though, when second baseman Alisha Carrasco misplayed Taylor Howard’s popup.

The Zias took a 2-1 lead in the second on Tessa Fioritti’s two-out, two-run double down the left field line, chasing starter Bailie Summers. Valero (3-5) went seven innings in relief, allowing five hits and four runs — only one earned.

The Zias made it 4-1 on the fifth on an error and Morgan Miller’s RBI single. UTPB, though, got an RBI single from Carrasco in the sixth and forced extra innings with two runs in the seventh.

Erin Roufosse (3-9), ENMU’s third pitcher of the game, worked 2 2/3 innings for the win.

In the earlier contest, East Central’s Randee Crockett (5-0) tossed a one-hit shutout, striking out 11, and the Tigers (9-2) broke up a scoreless tie against Roufosse with two in the fifth and two in the sixth.

Howard hit a one-out single to left in the fourth for ENMU’s lone hit. ECU first baseman Emily Kennemer hit a two-out, two-run double to right-center in the fifth for the game’s first runs.

Roufosse worked 5 2/3 innings, allowing seven hits and four runs — two earned — with three walks and four strikeouts. Shortstop Shelby Simmons went 3-for-4 with a run-scoring single in the sixth for ECU.

In the other game, UTPB shut out East Central 1-0.