Homers in 12th lift Zias to win

OKLAHOMA CITY — The Eastern New Mexico University softball team managed only one win in three games on Saturday at Del City High School, but it was one to remember.

Senior Kristen Cruickshank belted a go-ahead, three-run homer in the top of the 12th inning to lift the Zias to a 13-9 win over Northeastern State in the first game of a doubleheader. The Zias lost the nightcap 5-4 when play was stopped in the sixth inning due to fog.

Earlier Saturday, the Zias (5-11) dropped a 4-2 decision to Missouri Western.

Cruickshank’s homer was her first of the season but the 24th of her career, leaving her behind only Rachel Mohler’s 33 at ENMU. Sophomore shortstop Melissa Williams followed with a solo home run.

Senior Kimberly Crouse worked the final four innings for the win, allowing the RiverHawks just one hit. Alex Mayo Otis finished the game with three hits.

In the finale, each team plated two runs in both the first and third innings before the RiverHawks (4-8) scored what proved to be the game-winner in he bottom of the fourth. Mayo Otis had a pair of hits for the Zias, while senior second baseman Rebecca Quinones scored twice.

Against Missouri Western (3-2), the Zias were blanked until Jessica Childers hit a two-run single in the top of the seventh. The Griffons struck for single runs in the third and fourth innings and added two in the fifth for a 4-0 lead.

Taylor Howard drew a one-out walk and Samantha Davis singled for the Zias in the seventh. Both runners moved up on a groundout before Childers singled them home.

The Zias are now off until next Sunday when they visit Oklahoma Panhandle State for a noon (MST) doubleheader.