Cowgirls celebrate seniors, split with Adams State

LAS VEGAS, N.M. --- The New Mexico Highlands softball team got key contributions from its seniors on senior day in game one to run rule Adams State 9-1 before falling in game two in extra innings 6-3 on Sunday at Cowgirl field.
 
Seniors Olivia Muniz, Breanna Cabrera and Haley Rodriguez went a combined 6-for-9 with seven RBI and four runs in leading the Cowgirls (8-21 overall, 7-16 RMAC) over the Grizzlies (8-31, 8-19) in the first game. Muniz finished 2-for-4 with a first-inning, two-run homer to get things rolling for the Cowgirls to go along with an RBI double to give her three RBI and two runs. Cabrera went 3-for-3 with a double and three RBI – including a two-run single in a five-run sixth that ended the game via run rule. Rodriguez went 1-for-2 with an RBI and a run.
 
It was more than enough for NMHU pitcher Belinda Gonzalez as she went all six innings and gave up one run on seven hits with four strikeouts and a walk to move to 7-7 on the season.
 
In game two, the led 1-0 heading into the fifth before Adams State put up three in the inning to take a 3-1 lead. The Cowgirls fought back as Leah Osborn (who scored three runs in the first game) blasted a solo shot to left in the sixth to cut the deficit to one before an RBI single by Angelino Guthro in the seventh inning tied it up to force extra innings.
 
But the Grizzlies scored three in the eighth and NMHU didn't answer as the teams split the doubleheader. Osborn was the only Cowgirl with multiple hits, going 2-for-4. Desiree Bogarin got the loss, going four innings and giving up six runs (four earned) on eight this with no strikeouts and a walk. NMHU got a strong start from fellow senior Brianna Velasquez as the left-hander went four innings and gave up no runs on two hits with four strikeouts and three walks.
 
After play on Sunday, the Cowgirls have moved up to the No. 8 spot in the RMAC standings – which is the final spot into the postseason. NMHU (.304 winnings percentage) is just percentage points ahead of Adams State (.296), CSU-Pueblo (9-22, .290), Fort Lewis (9-23, .281) and Black Hills State (7-18, .280).
 
The teams wrap up their four-game series with a doubleheader starting 11 a.m. Monday at Cowgirl Field in Staff Appreciate Day. The five Cowgirl seniors (Bogarin, Cabrera, Muniz, Rodriguez and Velasquez) will honor the NMHU staff member that has impacted them the most in their time at NMHU.