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Zias salvage split at Panhandle State

GOODWELL, Okla. — Runs were at a premium in Tuesday’s non-conference softball doubleheader between Eastern New Mexico and Oklahoma Panhandle State.

The Zias scored a two-out run in the third inning and held on for a 1-0 win in the nightcap after the host Lady Aggies posted a 1-0 win in the opener.

The games were makeups of a rainout earlier this month.

ENMU (11-32) had lost 17 of 18 before pulling out the nightcap behind a seven-hit shutout by senior Lauren King (4-12). She walked one and struck out a season-high nine.

The Zias, who had 11 hits in the nightcap, scored on a single by Stacy Gonzales and a triple by Kyleigh Harris.

Eastern left the bases loaded in the first, fourth and seventh innings.

In the opener, the Lady Aggies (21-37) scored in the first off Zias freshman Ashley Maier (2-3), who didn’t walk or strike out anybody in a complete-game three-hitter.

The Zias also had three hits, including two by senior first baseman Maegan Rhoten. Rhoten led off the seventh with a single and Harris reached when Panhandle misplayed her sacrifice bunt for an error.

A sacrifice by Cindy Hess moved the runners into scoring position. But Navarro grounded out and Rhoten was thrown out at home trying to score for a game-ending double play.

 
 
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