LAS VEGAS, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University softball continued with the momentum from Friday completing a four-game sweep of New Mexico Highlands University after posting 3-2 and 8-5 wins Saturday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

The first game featured 14 hits, but just five runs. WNMU (16-33, 14-22 RMAC) got on the board first with a run in the second. Sophomore Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) walked and later moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. Freshman Kylie Christman (Litchfield Park, AZ/Millennium) delivered with a double to right-center to plate Othon for the 1-0 lead.

The advantage expanded to 2-0 in the third. Junior Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) started the frame with a double. After a passed ball moved her to third, senior Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School) singled to shortstop to score Higgins.

The Lady Mustangs would make it three straight innings with a run in the fourth. Sophomore Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City) singled and later stole second. Redshirt freshman Davi Martin (Silver City, NM/Silver City) added a single up the middle to drive in Castillo for a 3-0 lead.

The Cowgirls (11-35, 7-26 RMAC) tallied their two runs in the fifth. NMHU would threaten again in the seventh getting runners on first and second with two outs when sophomore Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) induced a ground out to end the inning and the game.

WNMU held the 8-6 advantage in hits with Higgins and Gahn tallying two hits apiece. Shone (11-15) grabbed her second win of the weekend with another complete game effort and five strikeouts.

The Lady Mustangs started early in the second game with two in the first. Othon knocked in the first run with a single on the first pitch to score McDonald who reached on a fielder's choice. Freshman Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) followed with a singled to center to score Gahn who reached on an error.

The lead quickly ballooned to six in the second. Granger and sophomore Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) singled to open the frame. After a fly out, McDonald drilled a three-run homer to left for a 5-0 advantage. A dropped fly ball allowed the fourth run of the inning in Gahn to score as she reached on a single.

NMHU would plate the only run from that point on until the seventh. Senior Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School) triggered a two-run inning with a leadoff double. Othon added her own double on the first pitch to quickly bring in Gentry. A pair of fly outs would then bring Othon home as Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad)'s fly out moved her to third and then junior Alexis Lawton (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite)'s sacrifice fly brought her home for the 8-1 lead.

The Cowgirls came back with four in the home half, but WNMU would record the final out to preserve the 8-5 win.

WNMU held 9-8 edge in hits led by two from Othon. McDonald led in RBI with three. Senior Amber Taynton (Lakeside, CA/El Capitan) (5-15), just like Shone, tossed her second complete game victory of the weekend allowing four earned runs along with five strikeouts.

With the sweep, WNMU still remains alive for a possible spot in the RMAC Tournament field. Regis at 17-17 in conference hold the eighth and final spot after Colorado Christian (14-16), currently in the ninth slot, took three of four from the Rangers this weekend. If Regis wins one more game this coming week or if the Lady Mustangs drop a game, they will be eliminated. If WNMU wins out and Regis loses out, Colorado Christian could then scoop the final spot with two wins. If the Cougars only win one and the above scenarios take place, WNMU would get the last spot with four more wins. Colorado Mines, currently 12-20, could win out and if Regis lost out would fall percentage points short of the final spot.

WNMU will host their final series of the regular season this coming weekend when they will welcome both Adams State University and Black Hills State University to Silver City for pod play that will begin at 11 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Sunday will also be senior day for the seven WNMU seniors, Mariah McDonald (Silver City/Silver City High School), Ricki Gentry (Lakeside, CA/Christian High School), Breanna Diaz (Las Cruces, NM/Mayfield), Amber Taynton (Lakeside, CA/El Capitan), Tessa Fanning (Cottonwood, AZ/Mingus Union), Alexis Lawton (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite), and Kale Gahn (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle High School).