LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Western New Mexico University softball team won their fourth straight game Sunday as they defeated Upper Iowa University, 9-0, to conclude the Desert Stinger.


WNMU (5-4) started early and often, with Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) leading the game off with a single. Following an out, Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) blasted a two-run home run for the early 2-0 lead. Later in the first, Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) singled and later came home on a home run off the bat of Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) to give the Mustangs a commanding 4-0 lead after one.


The offense would post another run in the third, as Barnes walked and after stealing second, Gentry doubled her home for a 5-0 lead. In the fourth, WNMU collected three more runs behind a walk to Vasquez, a triple by Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School) and a home run from Barnes for an 8-0 lead through four.


WNMU tallied the last run in the fifth, with Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) hitting a solo home run with two outs, as the Mustangs won the game in five due to the run-rule.


In the circle, Bri Robles (Mesa, AZ/Mesa High School) picked up her third win of the tournament as she lasted four innings, giving up just four hits without a run. Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) came on in relief to pitch the fifth, as she recording a one-two-three inning.


Barnes, Vasquez and Gentry all recorded two hits apiece, as the Mustangs had nine as a team to just four for the Peacocks. Barnes had four RBI, with McDonald posting two and Eichenberger, Gentry and Graf all coming away with one each.


WNMU will remain on the road this week as they will travel to Phoenix to play Grand Canyon and Notre Dame de Namur Saturday and Sunday, playing each team twice.