Highlands sweeps Zias

Outside of two innings, Eastern New Mexico University's softball team was pretty competitive on Wednesday.

New Mexico Highlands put together an eight-run fourth in the opener and a seven-run first in the nightcap in rolling to an 8-2, 11-2 non-league sweep at Zia Softball Field.

CMI photo: Joshua LuceroENMU freshman Hannah Tush rounds the bases ahead of a two-run homer by junior first baseman Erica Amendarez during the second inning of Wednesday's opener against New Mexico Highlands at Zia Softball Field.

Zias sophomore Katie Ramsay (0-8) was cruising along with a 2-0 lead in the opener before issuing a pair of one-out walks in the top of the fourth. First baseman Shelby Watts followed with a three-run homer to left, her sixth of the season, and before the inning was over the Cowboys had scored all their runs on six hits.

NMHU (6-5) had only two other hits in the contest, but the damage was done.

Junior first baseman Erica Armendarez put the Zias (2-15) in front with a one-out, two-run homer in the second off Highlands' Jessica Brink (4-2), who went the distance on a seven-hitter with two walks and three strikeouts.

Highlands wasted little time in the second contest, building its first inning lead on seven hits, three walks and an error in chasing ENMU starter Alberta Medina (0-5).

The Cowgirls made it 9-0 in the third before the Zias scored twice in the bottom half on an RBI single by second baseman Ke VonSchriltz and a sacrifice fly to center by Ramsay.

Highlands added two more in the fifth. The game ended after five innings on the eight-run rule.

Erica Wieck (2-1) went the distance, allowing two hits and pitching around six walks. Watts led the Cowgirls' 12-hit attack, going 4-for-4 with three run-scoring singles, two of the infield variety.

The Zias are idle until hosting Oklahoma Panhandle State in a 12:30 p.m. doubleheader on Wednesday.