Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 SPEARFISH, S.D. – The Western New Mexico University softball team split a pair of conference games Friday defeating Black Hills State University, 5-2, but dropped a 11-1 five inning game to Chadron State College in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.
 
In the first game, Western New Mexico University (WNMU) pounded out 11 hits on their way to defeating Black Hills State University (BHSU).
 
Both teams were scoreless through the first two innings when WNMU (8-13, 5-5 RMAC) exploded for three in the third.
 
Aimee Vasquez (Ruidoso, NM/Ruidoso High School) started the frame by reaching on an error. Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) added a single and after a sacrifice moved both runners up with one out, Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) and Tessa Fanning (Cottonwood, AZ/Mingus Union) delivered back-to-back RBI singles for the early 2-0 lead. With two outs a few batters later, Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) singled to bring home Gahn for the 3-0 lead.
 
BHSU posted a run in the fourth, which the Lady Mustangs answered in the fifth. McDonald again came through with an RBI single, as she drove home Fanning who doubled earlier in the inning to move the lead back to three, 4-1.
 
BHSU would score a run in the home half, but that would be their last of the game, as WNMU would provide the final margin with a run in the seventh. After the first two outs were recorded, Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) walked and quickly came home on a double from Higgins for the 5-2 lead and eventual victory.
 
Higgins and Fanning each went for three hits apiece, while McDonald led in RBI with two. BreAnna Eaker (Ramona, CA/James Madison) went the distance in the circle for WNMU, as she recorded the win (3-4), giving up two earned runs on seven hits, while she didn't walk anyone and had six strikeouts.
 
In the second game of the day, Chadron State College (CSC) jumped out with a big eight-run second inning and never looked back.
 
The Lady Mustangs scored their run in the home half of the second with an RBI single from Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite).
 
The Eagles added two more in the fourth and one in the fifth for the run-rule victory.
 
CSC tallied 15 hits, while WNMU was held to five. Shone led the team in hits with two.
 
WNMU will play two more Saturday, as they will face both Black Hills State and Chadron State to conclude the weekend four-game set.