SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University softball team pounded out 30 hits and nearly took both games to open Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play falling to Colorado State University-Pueblo, 7-6, before coming back with a 18-10 run-rule win over Chadron State College Saturday.

In the first game against CSU-Pueblo (6-8, 2-0 RMAC), the Lady Mustangs posted 13 hits, but couldn't quite come all the way back for the victory.

WNMU (4-9, 1-1 RMAC) took the early lead with a run in the first inning as Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad), Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) and Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) all recorded singles. After a strikeout, Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) came home on a wild pitch for the 1-0 lead.

The Lady ThunderWolves came back with two in the third to open a 2-1 lead. WNMU would fight back with a run in the home half to tie the game at two. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) doubled to open the inning and then moved to third on a single by Higgins. Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) later brought the run in with a sacrifice fly to right to tie the game at two after three.

Just like before, CSU-Pueblo recorded three runs in the fourth, just to watch WNMU answer back with three in the home half. Madison Jones (Lakewood, CA/Lakewood) opened the frame reaching on an error. Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) would later double to bring in Jones. After the second out was recorded, Higgins cranked a two-run homer to center to tie the game at five after four.

Following a scoreless fifth, the Lady ThunderWolves regained the lead with two in the sixth and the Lady Mustangs would fight back in the seventh nearly coming back to win the game.
Othon opened the inning with a solo home run to center. Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) singled and then moved to second on a sacrifice by Jones with two outs. Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) pinch-hit and was hit-by-pitch to put runners at first and second. Enriquez singled up the middle on a 1-1 pitch to load the bases, but a groundout to shortstop ended the inning and the threat giving CSU-Pueblo the 7-6 victory.

WNMU outhit CSU-Pueblo, 13-7, with Higgins going 4-for-4. Enriquez added three hits and Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) tallied two. Higgins and Othon led in RBI with two apiece. Vogel led the Lady ThunderWolves with three RBI.

In the circle, MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) started and went 3.1 innings allowing five earned runs. Mikayla Austin (Florence, AZ/Florence ) came on in relief to go the final 3.2 innings and although she gave up just one earned run and posted five strikeouts, ended up with the loss (0-4).

In the nightcap, the WNMU offense could not be stopped. The Lady Mustangs benefited from nine walks and pounded out 17 hits to complete the run-rule comeback victory.
It was a slot start early on as Chadron State (0-14, 0-2 RMAC) jumped out to a 10-1 lead with four in the first and then three each in the second and third. Ramirez recorded the run for WNMU back in the first inning with a single to score Enriquez who opened the inning with a four-pitch walk.

In the third, WNMU unleashed six runs on just four hits, capitalizing on several walks. Higgins opened the inning with a home run. Following a walk to Ramirez, Othon drilled a two-run homer to left. Garcia singled, MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) singled and Davi Martin (Silver City, NM/Silver City) walked to load the bases. Enriquez walked on four pitches to record an RBI, Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) would do the same and then Ramirez closed the inning with a bases-loaded walk to bring WNMU back to within three, 10-7.

In the fourth, WNMU took the lead for good. Garcia, Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) and MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) singled to drive in the first run of the frame. Enriquez added an RBI single, Higgins drove in two with a single and then Ramirez singled on the first pitch to keep the train moving. Higgins later scored on a wild pitch and then Garcia singled home another run. Munoz came up again with a double to right-center for another RBI and later Garcia scored on a wild pitch to close the nine-run, nine-hit inning leaving WNMU on top, 16-10.

In the fifth the Lady Mustangs put the game away with an RBI double by Ramirez and then Othon sealed the win with an RBI single up the middle for the 18-10 run-rule victory.

WNMU outhit Chadron State, 17-9, as Ramirez, Othon and Garcia recorded three hits apiece. Ramirez drove in four RBI, as at least eight Lady Mustangs had at least a hit and six had multi-hit games.

In the circle, Breanna Aker (El Mirage, AZ/Apollo) started and went 1.2 innings allowing four earned runs. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) tossed the final 3.1 innings to pick up the win (1-3) giving up just three earned runs.

WNMU will face Chadron State at 10 a.m. before closing the weekend at 2 p.m. against CSU-Pueblo on Sunday.