Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 PHOENIX, Ariz. – Having come close to defeating both Grand Canyon and Midwestern State on Saturday, the Western New Mexico University softball team was in a shootout in the first game against Midwestern State, coming up just short in a 7-6 loss and then were defeated by Grand Canyon in the nightcap, 4-0, to conclude action on Sunday.


In the first game, the Western New Mexico University (WNMU) offense came to life in a big way. They broke out for 15 hits in the game and that would propel them to an early 2-0 lead. In the opening frame, Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School), batting leadoff and playing at third, remained hot as she singled to center. Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) followed her with a single to center and after a strikeout, Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) singled to left to load the bases. A fielder's choice groundout recorded the second out at home and then Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) worked a walk to bring in the first run of the game. A flyout ended the inning, but the Mustangs (0-6) had the 1-0 lead.


Both teams went scoreless in the second and WNMU posted another run in the third. The first two outs were recorded before Tessa Fanning (Cottonwood, AZ/Mingus Union) started the rally with a walk. McDonald then singled to the pitcher on a bunt and Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) ripped a double to right to score Fanning and a throw from right saved the other run that was gunned down at the plate leaving the Mustangs up, 2-0.


Midwestern State University (MSU) came through with their first runs in the home half of the third, scoring three runs on three hits and benefiting from two errors to take a 3-2 lead.


MSU hit a grand slam in the fourth to open a 7-2 lead, but WNMU wasn't going away lightly.


In the fifth, Othon started the frame with a one out double down the right field line. Fanning quickly brought both home with a home run to center to trim the deficit to three, 7-4.


In the sixth, WNMU continued to chip away, as Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) opened with a single and came right home on a double to left-center by Higgins for the RBI and a 7-5 MSU lead. The Mustang offense kept coming, as a sacrifice bunt moved Higgins to third and she came home on a two-out single by Othon to right leaving the MSU lead at just one, 7-6, through six.


WNMU tallied a single from Gentry in the seventh, but the rally would end there after a flyout, strikeout and caught stealing to give MSU the 7-6 win.


Othon went 3-for-4 batting cleanup to lead the offense. Enriquez, Gentry, McDonald, Vasquez and Higgins all recorded two hits each.


Amber Taynton (Lakeside, CA/El Capitan) started in the circle, going three innings and giving up three runs, two earned. Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) relieved her and pitched the final three innings, giving up four runs, three earned.


Batey collected the win for MSU, going five innings, while Belovsky came on two get the save.


Jerrick had a big game for MSU out of the leadoff spot, collecting three hits and six RBI.


In the final game of the weekend, WNMU wasn't able to get the bats going, posting just four hits, while Grand Canyon University (GCU) pounded out 13.


WNMU had two of their four hits in the opening frame, with Higgins and Fanning recording singles, but a groundout and later after a walk loaded the bases with two outs, another groundout ended the threat.


GCU broke open the scoreless game with one in the third and then two more in the fourth for a 3-0 lead. They would tack on another in the sixth for the 4-0 lead and WNMU would threaten one last time in the seventh.


Othon started the inning with a bunt single. After a flyout, an Enriquez single put runners at first and second, but a lined into double play followed for the final two outs to end the game.


Four Mustangs accounted for the four hits, with Higgins, Fanning, Othon and Enriquez all collecting hits. BreAnna Eaker (Ramona, CA/James Madison) started in the circle, lasting five innings, giving up three runs all earned. Arriel Smith (Oakhurst, CA/Yosemite High School) tossed the final two innings, giving up one unearned run.


Sepulveda grabbed the win for GCU going all seven innings.


WNMU will remain on the road this coming week when they will compete in the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas, Nev., beginning this Friday against West Texas A&M and CSU-Dominguez Hills.