SILVER CITY, N.M. – A late seventh inning rally fell just short for the Western New Mexico University softball team against Chadron State in the first game falling, 9-8. In the second game, Colorado State University-Pueblo exploded for 14 runs to take the 14-1 run-rule win in the nightcap Sunday in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.

In the first game of the day, CSC (1-15, 1-3 RMAC) scored six runs over the first three innings to open a 6-1 lead. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) tallied WNMU's (4-11, 1-3 RMAC) run during that stretch with a solo home run to center in the first inning.

The Lady Mustangs grabbed two runs back in the fourth. Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) singled to put runners on the corners. Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) came through with a double on a 1-1 pitch to plate both runs and leave WNMU down just three, 6-3.

The Lady Eagles answered those two runs back with two of their own in the fifth to take an 8-3 lead into the sixth. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) opened the sixth with a single and advanced to second on a passed ball. Ramirez recorded a one-out double on a full-count pitch to score Granger. Othon then hit the next pitch to center for an RBI that scored Ramirez to make it an 8-5 game into the seventh.

CSC claimed a run in the seventh with a two-out single and it would turn out to be a vital run. In the home half of the inning, Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) pinch-hit and singled after fighting off several pitches. Davi Martin (Silver City, NM/Silver City) added a single and both her and Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) moved up a base on a throwing error on the shortstop. Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) would come home on a passed ball and after Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) walked on four pitches, Martin scored on a wild pitch. Othon brought the Lady Mustangs to within one again attacking the first pitch and singling back up the middle to score Enriquez. With the tying run at third, the Lady Eagles were able to hang on as Tayler Hall got a groundout in the circle to give CSC the 9-8 victory.

The Lady Eagles ended up outhitting WNMU, 12-11, with Othon posting three hits and three RBI to lead the way. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Ramirez added two hits apiece. Katelyn Kruger and Aspen Eubanks led CSC with three RBI each. Hall got the win in the circle for the Lady Eagles going all seven innings and tossing 143 pitches. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) started in the circle for WNMU going 4.2 innings and allowing four earned runs to end up with the loss (1-4). Mikayla Austin (Florence, AZ/Florence ) threw the final 2.1 innings and allowed just one earned run.

In the nightcap, CSU-Pueblo (8-8, 4-0 RMAC) scored in every inning to take the 14-1 five inning run-rule victory. After the Lady ThunderWolves opened with two runs in the first inning, WNMU recorded their run in the home half of the inning when Othon singled home Enriquez who reached on an error to being the inning.

CSU-Pueblo posted 17 hits to five for WNMU. Enriquez, Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School), Othon, Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Martin all accounted for the five hits. Moriah Turney led the Lady ThunderWolves with four RBI. Madison Wolfe went all five innings for CSU-Pueblo to record the victory. Three Lady Mustangs saw time in the circle with Austin starting and going 1.1 innings and ended up with the loss (0-5). MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) went 2.2 innings allowing three earned runs and Breanna Aker (El Mirage, AZ/Apollo) went the final inning and allowed one run.

WNMU will remain at home this coming weekend when they will host Adams State University beginning with a doubleheader at 12 p.m. on Saturday.