Zias post double-double, sweep University of the Southwest

PORTALES — Eastern New Mexico University’s Amanda Martinez isn’t exactly known for her power.

More of a put-the-ball-in-play singles hitter, she’d like to think she can drive in a run when needed.

Martinez hit a go-ahead, opposite-field sacrifice fly to left in the sixth inning as the Zias rallied from a seven-run deficit for 10-9 victory over University of the Southwest and a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday at Zia Field.

Martinez, who came into the day with five RBIs in the team’s first 14 games, also drove in three runs in a 10-1 first-game victory. ENMU now stands 30-5 all-time against the Hobbs-based Lady Mustangs.

The Zias (12-4) enter Lone Star Conference play this weekend at Midwestern State, although the four-game series will likely be pushed back a day or two from its scheduled Friday-Saturday format for weather concerns.

The 5-foot-4 Martinez, a senior center fielder from Williamstown, N.J., known more for her speed that her pop, said she’s been trying to hit with a bit more power at the request of coach Kristen Soukup.

“Coach told me to try to hit something deep, so I tried to do that,” she said of the late-game situation.

Martinez went 2-for-3 with a two-run triple, an RBI fielder’s choice and three runs scored in the first-game rout, in which left-hander Aja Secheslingloff (8-2) cruised through four shutout innings. That game was called after 4 1/2 on the eight-run rule.

The second game looked like a complete turnaround.

Trailing 2-0 in the nightcap, Soukup brought Secheslingloff back in the second inning, but the Lady Mustangs (6-6) roughed the freshman up for six runs on seven hits in the third — including six hits in a row — for an 8-2 lead. Catcher Taly Ramirez highlighted the outburst with a three-run homer.

Natalie Ortiz then chased Secheslingloff with a first-pitch homer leading off the fourth, but the Zias responded with their own six-run inning in the bottom half that included a seven consecutive hits and a three-run homer by senior designated player Kyra Sirag after USW’s Brianna Johnson (2-1) retired the first two hitters.

It was still 9-8 in the sixth, when Morgan Green’s squeeze bunt tied it and the bases-loaded sac fly by Martinez put the Zias in front.

“We’ve actually started the year off great, and that gives us more confidence as a team,” Martinez said. “We fight back when we get behind, and as long as we do that we’ll be successful.”

Sirag and sophomore shortstop Susie Chandler led the Zias’ 14-hit attack, both going 3-for-4.

Senior left-hander Vanessa Ramirez (2-0), who had pitched 8 2/3 innings in five previous appearances this spring, finished off USW with four shutout innings, allowing two hits.

“She’s been very effective in one or two-inning stints,” Soukup said. “Today we asked a little more of her, and she did a great job.”

ENMU also had a six-run inning in the opener, coming in the third for a 10-0 lead. Second baseman Jackie Candelaria, who had just three RBIs this season before Wednesday, drove in four runs in that game with two sacrifice flies and a two-run double and added an RBI single in the nightcap.

USW coach Ron Landschoot, who started the school’s program in 2005 after spending one season (2003) at the ENMU helm, said the breaks didn’t go his team’s way in the second game.

“It wasn’t so much that we gave it away, but balls that were hit found holes,” he said. “Coach (Soukup) is doing a good job. Their team isn’t big and strong, but they play good softball.”