DENVER, Colo. – Despite collecting 12 hits on Saturday, Metro State University Denver took both games from the Western New Mexico University softball team by the same score of 9-1 in five innings in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference action.
In the first game, The Lady Roadrunners (14-6, 6-2 RMAC), currently receiving votes in the latest NFCA Poll, put a string of runs together starting in the second. MSU Denver tallied three in the second and third innings and then added two in the fourth for an 8-0 lead.
WNMU (10-15, 7-7 RMAC) tallied their run in the fifth when Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) kept the game going with a two out single up the middle. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) then doubled on the first pitch down the left field line to set the table for Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View). Garcia took a ball and then ripped a single through the right side to plate Enriquez leaving MSU Denver ahead 8-1.
The Lady Roadrunners then sealed the run-rule victory with a run on a groundout in the home half for the 9-1 victory. MSU Denver held a 10-7 edge on hits as Enriquez and Garcia posted two hits apiece. Three Lady Roadrunners had two hits apiece, while Mary Towner drove in three.
In the circle, Cassidy Smith picked up the complete game win for the Lady Roadrunners. Mikayla Austin (Florence, AZ/Florence ) returned to the circle for the Lady Mustangs going four innings and allowing eight earned runs (2-6) to end up with the loss. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) tossed the final two-thirds of the game before the walk-off run scored.
In the second game, the Lady Roadrunners jumped ahead early with four runs on two hits along with two Lady Mustang errors to take a 4-0 lead after the first. Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) returned to the lineup on Saturday and drilled a solo home run to lead off the second to bring WNMU back to within three, 4-1. The Lady Mustangs threatened for more in the inning as Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) singled and MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) walked, but a pop out, fly out and ground out ended the frame.
Following a run in the third for MSU Denver, they would post four runs on three hits along with two errors by the Lady Mustangs in the fifth to take the 9-1 run-rule victory.
MSU Denver held a 7-5 edge on hits with Othon powering the Lady Mustangs going 2-for-2. Lani Redmond and Susie Oury led MSU Denver with three hits apiece. In the circle, Nicole Larsen went all five innings for the win for the Lady Roadrunners. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) went all 4.2 innings for the Lady Mustangs to take the loss (4-6) giving up just two earned runs.
WNMU and MSU Denver will close their four-game series on Sunday morning beginning with another doubleheader at 11 a.m.
