GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University softball team battled back to take game two, 15-10, after Colorado Mesa won the first game, 9-1, Saturday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


In the second game, WNMU (14-31, 9-23 RMAC) opened up with a three-spot in the first inning, with Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) doubling and Brittney Batten (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) singling to start the frame. After a fielder's choice moved runners to the corner, Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) singled to drive in the first run. A wild pitch would move both runners up in time for Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) to drive in both with a double down the right field line giving the Mustangs the 3-0 lead.


WNMU added another run in the second, as after the first two outs were recorded, three singles followed with the last one by Ashly Eichenberger (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon High School) driving in a run for the 4-0 lead.


CMU (22-14, 20-12 RMAC) came back to tie the game with two in the third and two in the fourth to even it at four.


The Mustangs came back to take the lead in the fourth, with Eichenberger doubling down the left field line to score both Vasquez and Courtney Graf (El Paso, TX/Coronado High School) which came in unearned thanks to an error by the second baseman to keep the inning alive for a 6-4 lead.


The Mavs tallied a run back in the home half to trim the lead to one before the Mustang offense went to work in the fifth.
After the first out was recorded, Gentry singled, which Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) followed with a walk and then on a bunt single by Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School), it loaded the bases for Graf. She came through with a single up the middle for an RBI to start the seven-run inning. A strikeout followed to mark the second out before Batten drove home two with a singled and then Barnes unloaded with a grand slam to center to put WNMU in front, 13-5.


With the run-rule in play, CMU avoided it by plating a run in the home half to extend the game to six.


WNMU scored their final two runs of the game in the sixth with McDonald hitting a solo home run to center and later Graf scored on a passed ball to make it a 15-6 game.


CMU tallied four runs in the bottom of the inning to get within five and left to bases loaded.


Neither team would score in the seventh to give the Mustangs the win.


Batten went 4-for-4 to lead the way offensively, with Vasquez and Eichenberger adding three hits apiece. Barnes, Gentry and McDonald also added two hits each as WNMU outhit CMU, 18-13.


Bro Robles (6-9) collected the win, lasting 5.1 innings, giving up 10 runs, seven earned on 13 hits. Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) came on to close out the final 1.2 innings without allowing a hit or walk.


In the first game, CMU limited the Mustangs to just four hits in the 9-1 win.


CMU led 5-0 through three, with WNMU getting on the board with a run in the fifth when an error on a bunt brought home the only run.


The Mavs added four more in the sixth to force the run-rule win.


Vasquez had the only multi-hit game with two. Smith (6-14) went the distance in the circle taking the loss, lasting 5.2 innings, 12 hits, nine runs, six earned.


WNMU will close out their home slate of the 2012 season this coming weekend when they will host Colorado Mines with the series beginning on Saturday at noon.