DENVER, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University softball team snapped their losing streak with an impressive 14-5 win in game one before Metro State College came back to win 10-2 in the nightcap to split the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference doubleheader Sunday afternoon.


WNMU (12-25, 7-17 RMAC) exploded in the first game against MCSD (16-18, 13-9 RMAC) scoring at least two runs in every inning including a three-spot in the first. Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) collected a two-RBI triple, which Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) added to that an RBI single for the 3-0 lead.


The Roadrunners tallied two in the home half of the first before WNMU collected another three runs in the second. Barnes and Higgins again combined to knock in the runs with each delivering RBI singles, along with an RBI single by Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School) for a 6-2 lead through two.


Eichenberger singled home two more in the third to open an 8-2 lead. Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) came off the bench to provide a double to left-center in the fourth that scored two more runs. Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) and Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) followed with run-scoring hits to move the lead to 12-2.


The 'Runners scored a run in the home half of the fourth, but the Mustangs tallied two more to keep the score at run-rule length thanks to a two-run home run by Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) in the fifth for a 14-3 lead.


MSCD tried to keep the game going in the bottom of the fifth plating a pair of runs, but left the bases loaded to end the game.


WNMU pounded out 20 hits, led by four players with three hits each including Eichenberger, Higgins, McDonald and Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School).


Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) (6-12) picked up the win tossing all five innings.


The second game belong to MSCD, scoring four in the first and two each in the second, third and fifth innings to force the run-rule win in five.


WNMU tallied a run in the second on an RBI single by Graf and another run in the third on a solo home run by Barnes.


MSCD outhit WNMU by just three, 7-4, but took advantage of eight walks but Mustang pitching.


WNMU will return home to host Fort Lewis College, as the Skyhawks were swept by CSU-Pueblo Sunday moving the Thunderwolves to first in the RMAC and FLC down to third with a 16-8 conference mark. The four-game set will begin Saturday afternoon at 12 p.m. It will also be Score For The Cure games, as the Mustangs will be wearing pink in honor of breast cancer awareness.