LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- It could've been easy for the New Mexico Highlands softball team to have a letdown after 15th-ranked Texas A&M-Commerce tied the game with two outs in the seventh inning of game two Monday afternoon at Cowgirl Field.
But the Cowgirls fought right back, getting back-to-back singles before
Nicole Correia laced a game-winning RBI single to center field to give NMHU a 6-5 win over the Lions to split the doubleheader.
The Cowgirls (6-13) jumped out to a 5-0 lead on TAMU-Commerce thanks to a five-run third inning as
Leah Osborn and Correia each hit a two-run double and
Angelina Guthro added an RBI double.
The Lions (22-9) bounced back with three runs in the fourth, a run in the sixth and the game-tying run after a two-out RBI triple in the seventh as it appeared the game may be heading to extra innings.
But the Cowgirls got rolling in the seventh with one out as
Desiree Madrid singled down the left field line. Osborn followed with a single to center field – advancing Madrid to second. Following a fly out to center field for the second out, Correia took a 1-0 pitch and drove it to center field as Madrid raced around third to score to give NMHU the win.
Osborn and Correia paced the Cowgirls at the plate, each going 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles with Correia driving in three runs and Osborn driving in two.
Belinda Gonzalez got the win in the circle, going the distance and giving up five runs (four earned) on six hits with nine strikeouts, eight walks and three hit batters.
In the first game, the Lions used a pair of six-run innings and shut out the Cowgirls 15-0 in five innings. NMHU had just two hits in the game (
Camrynn Ziegler and Madrid) while
Desiree Bogarin got the loss, going 3.1 innings and giving up 13 runs (12 earned) on six hits with a strikeout, six walks and three hit batters.
The Cowgirls return to RMAC action on Saturday as they travel to take on Black Hills State.
