Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 DENVER, Colo. – Entering the weekend, the Western New Mexico University softball team had several scenarios that would have had them clinch a spot in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference Tournament. After posting a split against Regis University, taking the first game 2-1, before dropping the second by that same score of 2-1, the Lady Mustangs clinched a spot in this year's tournament.

The Lady Mustangs can finish as high as sixth in the standings and can finish no worse than eighth. Colorado Christian currently controls the sixth seed and if they win both games Sunday, would retain that seed and could then move to fifth. If they split, WNMU would then need a sweep on Sunday to tie CCU. If CCU doesn't win any games Sunday, WNMU could move ahead with one win. New Mexico Highlands and Fort Lewis are both fighting for the final slot. If NMHU wins one game or Fort Lewis losses one game, the Cowgirls would clinch the final slot. NMHU could still pass WNMU and CCU if both teams lost Sunday and NMHU won both games, then the Cowgirls would be the sixth seed. If WNMU splits Sunday, NMHU can pass if they sweep Colorado Mines. If WNMU sweeps on Sunday, they would finish at least seventh, as NMHU would then not be able to catch. MSU Denver went undefeated this weekend in Chadron to lock up the top seed and will host the RMAC Tournament that will begin Thursday, April 30.

Both games against the Lady Rangers on Saturday were pitcher's duels. In the first game, Mikayla Austin (Florence, AZ/Florence ) went toe-to-toe with Division I transfer Nicole Aviles. Neither team was able to break through until WNMU (21-28, 18-20 RMAC) plated a pair in the fourth.

Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) opened with a single and Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) added a double to put runners at first and second. Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) wasted little time driving in both runs as she singled to left field on a 0-2 pitch to give WNMU a 2-0 lead.

RU (27-17, 22-11 RMAC) nearly came back in the seventh. With two outs quickly on the board, the Lady Rangers pieced together three straight hits to load the bases. A hit batter brought in a run before Austin was able to get a line out to shortstop to end the threat and give WNMU the 2-1 victory.

Regis outhit WNMU, 9-7, with Higgins and Othon leading the Lady Mustangs with two hits apiece. Emily John had three hits for the Lady Rangers. Neither team committed an error in the game. Austin collected her 11^th win (11-12) of the season giving up just the one earned run. She also tallied four strikeouts. Aviles went the distance for the Lady Rangers.

In the second game, it became a pitcher's duel between MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Nicole Hull. RU broke through right away in the first with an RBI double. They would add another run in the fifth to take a 2-0 lead.

WNMU threatened in the second getting an error and a walk to put a pair of runners on before a strikeout ended the inning. A leadoff single in the fifth by Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) was quickly erased by a double play. The Lady Mustangs then broke through in the sixth.

Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) got things going with a one out single. After a fly out, Higgins reached on an error by the center fielder to bring in Enriquez with the unearned run. Then, in the seventh WNMU nearly came back to not only tie, back take the lead.

With two outs already on the board and nobody on base, the Lady Rangers switched pitchers bringing in Rachelle Knudson. That opened up the hitting for WNMU as Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) each tallied singles, before Davi Martin (Silver City, NM/Silver City) walked to load the bases. Regis then re-inserted Hull who was able to get a ground out to end the inning and the game with the Lady Rangers hanging on for the 2-1 win.

The teams combined for just nine hits in the game with Regis tallying five. Four Lady Mustangs all had a hit in the game. Carlie Sexton and Taylor Wilcox led the Lady Rangers with two hits apiece. In the circle, MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) went five innings and ended up with the loss (6-11) as she allowed just two earned runs and added four strikeouts. Hull tallied the win for Regis allowing just two hits. Both teams were swinging early in counts with both starters throwing under 70 pitches. Austin tossed the final inning for the Lady Mustangs working a 1-2-3 sixth.

WNMU will close the regular season on Sunday with another doubleheader against Regis beginning at 11 a.m.