DENVER, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University softball team fought back in game two and had a lead before Metro State College came back to take the doubleheader, 8-0, and 9-5 Saturday afternoon in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


WNMU (11-24, 6-16 RMAC) came close once again to coming away with a win in game two, as they came back from an early 3-1 deficit to take the lead.


After threatening in the third but coming away empty, the Mustangs came through with four in the fourth. The first two outs were quickly recorded before a single and steal by Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) set the table for an Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School) RBI double. Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) wasted little time plating Eichenberger as she doubles on a 1-2 pitch to right-center to tie it at three. Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) concluded the onslaught with a first-pitch blast that sailed over the centerfield fence for a two-run shot and a 5-3 lead.


MSCD (15-17, 12-8 RMAC) wasted little time coming back, scoring two runs each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to take the victory.


WNMU would threaten one last time in the seventh, getting two runners on, but the Roadrunners would record the final out to end the game.


WNMU outhit MSCD, 11-10, but they also committed three more errors (6-3), which led to three unearned runs. Four Mustangs tallied two hits apiece in Batten, Eichenberger, Barnes and Higgins.


Batten started in the circle tossing two innings, before Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) pitched the final four innings (5-12) taking the loss.


In the first game, Metro State nearly came away with a no-hitter by Aubree Maul as she limited WNMU to just one hit which came in the final inning. With the first out recorded in the fifth, Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) doubled, which accounted for the only Mustang hit. The Roadrunners collected 12 hits on their way to the 8-0 victory.


Both Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) and Kim McKnight (Fruitland, NM/Kirtland High School) both pitched in the circle with each lasting two innings.


WNMU and Metro State will conclude their four-game series tomorrow with another doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m.