LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University softball team ran into a tough New Mexico Highlands team Wednesday as the Cowgirls defeated the Mustangs, 6-0, and 12-3 in five innings in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


In the first game, NMHU (12-8, 7-3 RMAC) scored all six runs in the game on 10 hits, as they benefited from five Mustang errors that led to four unearned runs.


WNMU (11-12, 6-4 RMAC) tallied a run in all but two innings, tallying a pair in the seventh, but couldn't get on the scoreboard.


Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) had two hits for the Mustangs, while Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) pitched all six innings in the circle, giving up the two earned runs on 10 hits, while walking two and striking out three.


In the second game, the Cowgirls got out to a big early lead and never looked back. They tallied eight runs in the first inning and led 10-0 through two.


WNMU tallied all three of their runs in the third, as after the first out was recorded, a singled, error and another singled brought home two runs and the last run of the inning came home on an RBI single by Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School).


Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School), batting leadoff, went 2-for-2 with a run scored to lead the offense.


WNMU will have a quick turnaround as they will play at Regis this Saturday and Sunday with first pitch set for 12 p.m. on Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday.