DENVER, Colo. – Metro State University Denver continued to produce key hits on Sunday coming away with two more wins over the Western New Mexico University softball team by scores of 11-3 in five innings and then 8-4 in the final game of the series in Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference play.
In the first game, the Lady Roadrunners (16-6, 8-2 RMAC) broke open a scoreless game in the second plating seven runs. They added another in the third to push the advantage to 8-0.
In the fourth, the Lady Mustangs (10-17, 7-9 RMAC) came through with their first runs of the game. Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) opened the inning reaching on an error. Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) added a double and Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) scored Garcia with an RBI ground out. Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) wasted no time driving in Higgins from second drilling the first pitch to center for a two-run homer trimming the deficit to five, 8-3.
MSU Denver was able to hold off the attempted comeback with three runs in the fifth to force the run-rule 11-3 victory. MSU Denver outhit WNMU, 12-5, with Higgins tallying two hits and Othon with two RBI. Sarena Espinoza had two hits and three RBI to lead MSU Denver.
In the circle, Cassidy Smith went all five innings for the Lady Roadrunners to record the victory. Mikayla Austin (Florence, AZ/Florence ) started for WNMU and allowed six earned runs to take the loss (2-7). MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) finished the final 3.1 innings allowing four earned runs.
In the second game, MSU Denver came out swinging tallying four runs in the first inning for the quick 4-0 lead. It would remain that way into the fourth when the Lady Roadrunners put another four spot up to move the advantage to 8-0.
WNMU was faced with having to get a run to keep the game going and they did just that. Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) reached with one out after being hit-by-pitch. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) singled and then Garcia added a single that brought in Enriquez as she scored on a throwing error by the center fielder.
The Lady Mustangs then put together a solid rally in their final at-bat. Enriquez doubled to open the seventh. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) followed with a first pitch single and a Garcia single followed to bring home Enriquez. Higgins went to a full count before she ripped a single to center to score Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad). Othon kept the runs coming with a sacrifice fly to center to score Garcia. Nicole Larsen was then able to keep WNMU at just three runs in the inning getting back-to-back outs to end the game with MSU Denver taking the 8-4 win.
Each team posted 10 hits with Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad), Garcia and Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) recording two hits apiece. Mary Towner posted two hits and two RBI to lead MSU Denver. In the circle, Larsen went all seven innings for the win for the Lady Roadrunners. Breanna Aker (El Mirage, AZ/Apollo) started for WNMU and allowed two earned runs to take the loss (1-4). MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) tossed four innings, while Austin then pitched the final 1.2 innings allowing just one hit and no earned runs.
WNMU will remain on the road this coming weekend as they will play at Black Hills State University beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday at noon.
