PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Western New Mexico University softball team had a tough time again against Grand Canyon, dropping the first game, 3-0, but they again rallied to battle tough against CSU-East Bay, taking the game into extra innings before falling, 4-2, Sunday in the final two games of the Grand Canyon University Kickoff.


WNMU (1-3) opened the first inning strong, as they kept CSUEB (4-1) off the scoreboard in the top of the first and then went to work offensively. Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) remained hot as she singled to open the frame and after stealing second, she came home on an RBI single to right by Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) for the early 1-0 advantage.


It would remain that way into the fifth when the Pioneers broke through with a pair of runs to take a 2-1 lead. The Mustangs didn't waste any time answering back, as Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) doubled to center to open the inning. After an out, Barnes singled down the left field line to put runners at the corners. Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) drew a walk to load the bases for Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) who hit a fly to center to bring home McDonald on the sacrifice fly to tie the game at two.


The teams would then benefit from good pitching and defense to keep the score the same over the next two innings to send the game into extra innings.


With it being a tournament-style setting, international tournament rules applied where a runner is placed at second to begin each inning for each team to speed up the contest.


CSUEB wasted little time, as after a strikeout, a walk put runners at first and second and Holdridge singled to right to score the go-ahead run. Later, an RBI groundout to first scored their second run of the frame to give them a 4-2 lead.


Barnes led the Mustangs going 4-for-4 out of the cleanup position. Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) added two hits, as WNMU had 10 as a team.


In the circle, Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) started, going five innings giving up two runs, both earned, on six hits, while walking and striking out on apiece. Bri Robles (Mesa, AZ/Mesa High School) came on in relief and pitched the final three innings and took the loss (0-3), as she gave up two unearned runs, one walk and five strikeouts.  


Just like on Saturday, WNMU struggled to break through against Grand Canyon, as the Lopes held the Mustangs to five hits while shutting down WNMU on their way to a 3-0 win in the first game.


GCU started early again, as after getting WNMU in order in the top of the first, they posted two runs and then added another in the second, which would be all the runs they would need.


The Mustangs tallied a hit in the second on a single by Barnes, another in the fourth on a single by Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School) and one in the fifth by Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) before the Mustangs had their best chance to score in the seventh.


Eichenberger ledoff the inning with a walk, which Barnes followed with a single. Jessica Jayo (Peoria, AZ/Centennial High School) then hit a shot that was snagged by the shortstop and turned into a double play. Higgins kept the game going with a single, but then a ground out ended the game and giving GCU the victory.


Robles started in the circle, lasting five innings, giving up three runs, two earned on eight hits, while walking four and striking out two. Smith came on in relief to pitch the final inning, giving up just a hit.


WNMU will remain on the road this coming week when they will travel to Las Vegas, Nev., to play in the 28-team Desert Stinger Friday, Saturday and Sunday.