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Life > Athletics > Softball > 4/8/06
SHERMAN AND BROOKS HOMER IN PIONEER VICTORIES
PORTALES , N.M. – Home runs by Rhonda Sherman and Amber Brooks powered Texas Woman’s University past Eastern New Mexico and into second place in the Lone Star Conference South Division.
The Pioneers (20-29-1, 8-5-1) swept the doubleheader with a 6-2 win in the opener and a 4-3 triumph in the nightcap over the Zias (29-17, 9-7). By taking three of the four games, TWU switched spots with ENMU in the league standings.
“These are two big wins on the road, especially in Portales. We knew the pitchers had to be sharp. Today the hitters made the adjustments,” head coach Marty Blowers said. “Rhonda and Amber’s home runs were both key hits. Amber cranked the first pitch she saw as a pinch hitter.”
In the opener both teams had 10 hits and three errors but TWU generated more runs. The Pioneers broke the game open with four runs in the third inning.
Boone started the frame with an infield double. Amanda Emory followed with a sacrifice bunt which was misplayed putting runners on first and third base. After Emory stole second base, Amanda Arnold singled to score Boone. Next, Amanda Danesi hit a sacrifice fly to right field plating Emory. With Arnold on third, Sherman sent the 1-1 pitch over the left center field fence for the 4-0 lead.
TWU added runs in the fourth and sixth innings as well. White doubled to begin the fourth frame and scored on an Emory ground out.
White and Emory generated the run in the sixth inning as well. White hit another double before Emory hit a two-out single to score her.
Boone, Sherman and White each had two hits. Russ-Keller went the distance on the mound allowing two runs (one earned) with two strikeouts.
In game two, ENMU got on the scoreboard first with two runs in the second inning. Tina Whitt put the Zias ahead with a two-run homer.
TWU tied the game in its next at-bat. Emory and Boone crossed the plate on a Sherman single to left field.
In the fourth frame, the Zias loaded the bases with one out knocking Ashley Martin out of the game. Russ-Keller entered and induced a fly ball and ground out to end the frame.
The Pioneers took the lead in the fifth inning. With Emory on third base, Brooks pinch hit for Danesi and sent the first pitch deep. It was the first long ball for Brooks this season.
Boone and Emory each had two hits. Russ-Keller (11-11) earned the win in 3.2 innings of action. She was tough in relief, giving up only three hits and a run.
“Two big plays stand out in game two. Lindsy entering with the bases loaded in the fourth inning and Tiffanie throwing out a runner at home plate in the third. Those were both momentum breakers,” Blowers added. “We were focused and performed very well. Lindsy and Ashley hit their spots, kept the ball low and used the off-speed effectively.”
Next, TWU returns to Pioneer Field for a six-game homestand starting with a non-conference doubleheader against Southern Arkansas on April 11 at 5:00 p.m.
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