PUEBLO, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University softball team finished the season strong as they split another doubleheader with CSU-Pueblo Sunday, as they took the first game, 7-3, before CSU-Pueblo salvaged the nightcap, 3-2, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


WNMU (16-37, 1129 RMAC) exploded early in the first game and never looked back. In the top of the first, with one out Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) reached with a single and then came home on a double by Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School). Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) followed with a single and moved to second on an error by the pitcher, while Eichenberger came home with the second run. After a groundout moved her to third, Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) singled to center to score Barnes for a 3-0 lead through one.


It would remain that way into the fifth with Eichenberger blasting a solo shot to right and Gentry coming through with another RBI single that scored Barnes for the 5-0 lead.


CSU-P (26-17, 24-15 RMAC) tallied a run in the sixth, but the Mustangs answered in the seventh with two more runs thanks to a two-run homer by Barnes that scored Eichenberger for a 7-1 advantage. The Thunderwolves would score two in the bottom of the inning, but it wouldn't be enough.


CSU-P outhit WNMU, 14-10, as the Thunderwolves also had three errors to two for the Mustangs. Eichenebrger and Barnes had perfect games at the plate, with Eichenberger going 3-for-3 with three runs scored, two RBI, a double, a home run and a walk batting third. In the cleanup spot, Barnes added a 4-for-4 game with three runs scored, three RBI and a home run. Gentry also added two hits and two RBI batting sixth.


In the circle, Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) scattered those 14 hits to collect her seventh win (7-17). She allowed two earned runs and didn't walk anyone, along with two strikeouts.


In the second game, WNMU started strong scoring the first two runs of the game with one coming in the first. After Batten reached on a fielder's choice, she would steal second and then come home on a single by Barnes. Barnes then scored the second run in the fourth inning, as she reached on an error by the center fielder and then came home on a single by Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) for the 2-0 lead.


The Thunderwolves came through with three big runs in the home half of the fourth, tallying three runs, two unearned to take the 3-2 lead.


WNMU threatened in the seventh, with Ashley Gonzales (Queen Creek, AZ/Queen Creek High School) reaching on a fielding error, but was then cut down trying to steal second for what would be a big play, as Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) followed with a single and then a fly out followed to end the game.
Each team posted six hits, with WNMU getting their six hits from six different players. In the circle, Bri Robles (Mesa, AZ/Mesa High School) finished her career with a solid effort, giving up just one earned run on six hits, along with one walk.


This was the last game for Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School), Ashley Eichenberger, Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School), Jessica Jayo (Peoria, AZ/Centennial High School), Ashley Gonzales (Queen Creek, AZ/Queen Creek High School), Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) and Bri Robles (Mesa, AZ/Mesa High School).