DENVER, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University softball team battled back in the first game and held an early lead in the second game, but Regis University came through with big hits and runs to sweep both games, 9-8 and 10-6 Sunday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


RU (6-12, 5-3 RMAC) opened up a six-run lead in the first game leading 6-0 after three innings.


WNMU (11-16, 6-8 RMAC) then started to make a comeback, posting two runs in the fourth on a two-run home run by Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School) to trim the deficit to four.


After the Rangers answered back with a run in the fourth, the Mustangs had a big outburst in the fifth inning.


Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) opened the frame with a single, which Ashley Gonzales (Queen Creek, AZ/Queen Creek High School) followed with a single and after an out, Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) singled to load the bases. Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) pinch-hit and came through with an RBI single to left. Eichenberger added to that an RBI single before Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) unloaded the bases with a double to left and later scored on a throwing error that brought home the sixth run of the inning for WNMU to put them in front, 8-7.


It would remain that way into the seventh when Regis opened the frame with a leadoff single and then Haberkorn blasted a home run to win the game for the Rangers in walk off fashion.


Eichenberger and Gonzales led the offense with two hits apiece, while Eichenberger had three RBI.


In the circle, Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) tossed six innings giving up all nine runs, all earned, on 14 hits.


In game two, WNMU came out of the gates on fire, posting four runs in the first inning.


Vasquez opened the game with a single, which Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) added to that a single. Eichenberger doubled to plate the first run. Barnes reached on a throwing error by the third baseman that loaded the bases. Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) added an RBI single and later Gonzales singled home two more for the early 4-0 advantage.


Gahn expanded the lead to five with a solo blast in the third for a 5-0 lead.


RU rattled off five runs over the next two innings to tie the game before WNMU regained the lead in the fifth with an RBI groundout by Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) for a 6-5 lead.


That would be the last lead for the Mustangs as the Rangers scored three in the fifth and two more in the sixth for a 10-6 lead they wouldn't relinquish.


Eichenberger, Higgins, Batten and Gonzales all recorded two hits in the second game.


Four Mustangs pitched in the game in the circle with McDonald tossing the most innings lasting three innings.


WNMU will return home and look to snap their skid when they host in-state rival New Mexico Highlands on Wednesday at 12 p.m. to complete their four-game series as the Cowgirls took the first two last Wednesday.