SILVER CITY, N.M. – It became the comeback of all comebacks for The Western New Mexico University softball team as after they took game one, 4-3, they didn't give up after falling behind 8-0 early in game two and worked their way back to pull out the incredible 13-12 victory to sweep Adams State College in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action Saturday afternoon at the WNMU Softball Field.


In the first game, WNMU (7-8, 2-0 RMAC) received a strong start in the circle from Bri Robles (Mesa, AZ/Mesa High School) as she held ASC (2-4, 0-2 RMAC) without a hit into the fourth which allowed the offense to get going.


The offense came in the form of solo home runs from Stephaine Higgins in the second and another from Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) in the third for a 2-0 lead through three.


The Mustangs added two more in the fifth to open a 4-0 lead when Higgins roped a double down the left field line that rolled all the way to the wall to score both Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) and Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School).


The Grizzlies still had a growl left in them, tallying a run in the sixth on a double and then a two-run home run on a 12-pitch at-bat by DJ Consonero had ASC within one, 4-3, with no outs.


Robles then found her game, posting back-to-back strikeouts and after a walk, a pop out to Higgins at first ended the first game.


Robles (4-6) tossed all seven innings, giving up three runs all earned on five hits, with three walks and 10 strikeouts in 132 pitches.


Higgins went 3-for-3 with three RBI, while McDonald added two hits out of the two hole, as the Mustangs outhit the Grizzlies, 9-5.


Game two then was a roller coaster ride, but it didn't look that way early.


ASC jumped out early on Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School), coming away with eight runs in the second inning, with four off them coming on a grand slam by Consonero.


WNMU began to chip away in the third, with McDonald opening the frame with a double, which Eichenberger added to that a single to put runners at the corners. After a strikeout, Higgins continued her big day with a single that dropped into right-center to plate McDonald. Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) later delivered a double around another strikeout that brought home Eichenberger. Kim McKnight (Fruitland, NM/Kirtland High School) then came within inches of a home run, as she drilled a pitch that hit near the top of the center field wall that went for a double and scored Higgins and Batten to cut the lead in half, 8-4, through three.


Higgins added a fielder's choice RBI in the fourth and a Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) blasted home run to center in the fifth had WNMU down just two, 8-6, after five.


That's when the fun really began. ASC answered back with four runs in the sixth on a pair of two-run homers to open a 12-6 lead.


But, in the bottom half the Mustangs had a half inning to remember.


Two walks started the inning and Higgins quickly brought one home with a double to left. Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) wasted little time bringing a pair home as she hit a 0-1 pitch down the left field line for two RBI and left WNMU within three. McKnight added an RBI single after pinch-hitter Jessica Jayo (Peoria, AZ/Centennial High School) singled. Around two walks, McDonald hit a bases-loaded single to left for an RBI. Eichenberger then delivered the hit to put WNMU ahead for good, as she hit a single that bounced up and over the first baseman's head and rolled down the right field line which allowed two runners to score and a 13-12 lead. The Mustangs almost tallied one more, as McDonald was thrown out at home on a close play that was originally ruled safe, but changed to an out call.


In the seventh, ASC didn't go down without a fight. A walk opened the inning, with a groundout moved the runner to second. A wild pitch moved the runner to third, then a little pop up got just outside of the infield with McDonald making a great diving catch on the outfield grass from her shortstop position. On the play, the runner tagged up from third and appeared to score as she beat the throw home. But, on an appeal at third, it was ruled that the runner left early which made the play a double-play and ended the game giving WNMU the improbable comeback victory.


WNMU tallied 16 hits in the game to 11 for ASC. Higgins and McDonald had three hits each while McKnight, Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) and Eichenberger had two apiece.


In the circle, both Smith and Robles saw time with Smith coming away with the win (3-2) as she went 3.2 innings, giving up eight runs, four earned on eight hits along with three walks and a strikeout. Robles tossed 3.1 more innings, giving up four earned runs on three hits along with three walks and five strikeouts.


WNMU will look to keep the momentum going as they will finish their four-game series with Adams State on Sunday morning with the doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. at the WNMU Softball Field.