Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DENVER, Colo. – The Western New Mexico University softball team suffered a pair of tough losses on Saturday with Metro State pulling out the sweep, 5-3 and 8-7, in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.


In the opening game, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) started out on fire, scoring three runs in the first inning. Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) opened with a home run on a 2-2 pitch to left-center. After two outs were quickly recorded, Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) singled through the right side and Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) cleared the fences with a shot to left field for the 3-0 early lead.


Metro State University (MSU) came back with two in the third and another in the fourth to tie the game at three.


While MSU (12-17, 5-12 RMAC) was beginning to comeback, WNMU (13-20, 10-12 RMAC) had some chances to regain the lead, as they outhit MSU, 10-7, but could only put together one hit in each inning outside of the opening frame.


MSU then ended the game in the home half of the seventh with two outs and a runner at first, Amanda Taney hit a walk-off two-run homer to right-center giving the Roadrunners the 5-3 victory.


Four Lady Mustangs tallied at least two hits which included Higgins, Gentry, Breanna Diaz (Las Cruces, NM/Mayfield) and Tessa Fanning (Cottonwood, AZ/Mingus Union). Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) ended up with the loss (6-11), as she surrendered four earned runs.


In the nightcap, WNMU opened the first inning just like they did in the opening game of the day. The Lady Mustangs scored four quick runs on six hits. Higgins opened with a double down the left field line, which Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) added a single to left-center to put runners at the corners. Gentry wasted little time driving home Higgins as she singled on the first pitch up the middle for the 1-0 lead. After a fielder's choice, Fanning single to load the bases for Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School). She drove in another run with a single to right-center. Later in the frame, BreAnna Eaker (Ramona, CA/James Madison) helped herself with a two-run single to center to boost the lead to 4-0.


MSU answered right back with four of their own in the home half on four hits to tie the game.


The Lady Mustangs regained the lead with a run in the second with Higgins starting things with a single and Gahn doubled to right-center. Following an out, Othon cashed in an RBI on a sacrifice fly to center for the 5-4 WNMU lead after two.


It would remain that way into the fourth when WNMU was able to tack on two more runs. Higgins doubled down the left field line and Gahn walked in front of a Gentry double to center that scored Higgins and moved Gahn to third. Fanning drove in the second run of the inning with a single to right-center giving WNMU a 7-4 lead through four.


The Roadrunners still had one rally left in them and it came in the sixth. The first three batters reached for MSU in the inning to load the bases. They would then get a sacrifice fly and a three-run home run to take the lead at 8-7 heading into the final inning.


WNMU posted a single in the seventh, but that would be it with the Roadrunners coming away with the improbable 8-7 comeback victory.


WNMU again outhit MSU, 13-9, with Higgins leading the way going 3-for-4 out of the leadoff position. Gahn, Gentry, Fanning and Eaker all added two hits apiece. Eaker took the loss (7-6) for WNMU, as she went all six innings, giving up eight earned runs.


WNMU will return home this coming weekend when they will host Colorado Mesa on Saturday with a doubleheader set to begin at 12 p.m. at the WNMU Softball Field.