GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – A near rally in the second game fell just short for the Western New Mexico University softball team as Colorado Mesa University took both games, 7-0, and 9-7 Saturday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

In the first game, WNMU (12-31, 10-20 RMAC) was limited to just three hits by Jessica Severinsen over six innings before Jo Bolyard tossed the last inning. The Lady Mustangs started with a single by junior Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School), but that would be the only base runner in the opening inning. CMU (19-17, 18-10 RMAC) quickly went in front in the home half as Severinsen took to the plate and hit a two-run homer for the 2-0 Mavericks lead after one.

CMU would add a run in the third for a 3-0 lead when WNMU threatened in the fourth. Senior Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) started a two-out rally with a single. Sophomore Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) added a single and senior Tessa Fanning (Cottonwood, AZ/Mingus Union) later walked to load the bases. A strikeout, though, followed to end the inning.

The Mavs would close the scoring with a run in the fourth and then three more in the fifth to take the 7-0 first game victory. CMU held a 12-3 advantage in hits, as Higgins, Gentry and Othon accounted for the hits. Severinsen (9-9) picked up the win for CMU, while sophomore Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) (9-14) pitched six innings, allowing seven earned runs and had two strikeouts without a walk.

In the nightcap, it looked to be another game shifting to CMU as they led 4-0 after four innings and starter Ashley Pulido had a no-hitter going into the top of the fifth.

The Lady Mustangs would end the no-no and shutout with authority in the inning. Othon connected on a leadoff solo home run. Fanning, sophomore Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) and junior Alexis Lawton (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) all followed with singles to load the bases. Sophomore Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City) tallied an RBI groundout and with two outs, senior Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School) singled to left to score Munoz leaving WNMU behind by just one, 4-3.

The Mavs went back in front by two with a run in the home half, just to watch WNMU come right back in the sixth. Gentry started things with a double. Freshman Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) would enter as a pinch-runner and she would come home on a throwing error by the third baseman trimming the deficit back to one, 5-4.

Just like the inning before, CMU had an answer in the home half and they countered with four to push their lead to 9-4 heading into the seventh. The Lady Mustangs started the inning right away as Castillo reached on an error and Higgins doubled. Following a pair of outs, Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) remained in the game and roped a double to center to plate both runners. Othon then hit in what would be the final run on a single, as she was cut down on a caught stealing attempt to end the game with CMU winning, 9-7.

CMU held a slight 11-9 edge in hits, with Othon leading the way with a pair of hits. Pulido (8-5) lasted five innings and allowed three earned runs for the win. Severinsen tossed the final two innings for the save. Senior Amber Taynton (Lakeside, CA/El Capitan) (3-14) went all six innings for WNMU, giving up eight earned runs and had three strikeouts.

WNMU and CMU will close their four-game set with another doubleheader on Sunday beginning at 11 a.m.