COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The University of Colorado Colorado Springs extended its winning streak to five games after a 6-5 win in the first game, but New Mexico Highlands used a pair of strong innings in game two and claimed the 14-5 decision in five innings in the series finale. Whitney Weber led the offense with a four-for-seven performance in the two games for the Mountain Lions (15-26, 14-22 RMAC).
 
The Cowgirls (19-30, 16-20) manufactured two runs during the first two innings in game one for the early 2-0 lead. The Mountain Lions took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the third off three hits and an error as Jordyn Cusimano, Leigh Lancaster and Whitney Weber each scored for UCCS.
 
Lancaster added to the Mountain Lion lead with a single the fourth inning that scored Nikki Hoffman, and Cusimano scored with Melissa Martinek on a single by Weber to center field for a 6-3 lead. New Mexico Highlands hit a two-run home run in the top of the sixth and cut the Mountain Lion advantage to 6-5, but UCCS retired the next six Cowgirls to secure the game one victory.
 
Weber went three-for-four with three runs batted in during the game and Cusimano added a two-for-three performance in her first multi-hit game since Feb. 9. Stephanie Chitkowski won her 10th game of the season with four strikeouts.
 
Highlands opened the second game with five runs in the first inning, helped by a three-run home run. UCCS responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning with two singles and a ground out to score the runs. Rayle Glover hit her seventh home run of the season in the third inning and cut the Cowgirls lead to 5-4, but Highlands scored seven in the top of the fourth for a 12-4 advantage.
 
Martinek hit her team-leading 10th home run in the bottom of the fourth and brought the Mountain Lions back within the eight-run margin required for a run-rule decision at 12-5. New Mexico Highlands pushed it back above that margin with two more runs in the fifth, and retired the Mountain Lions in order in the bottom of the fifth to avoid the series sweep by UCCS.
 
Glover led the offense in game two with a pair of hits as UCCS was held to six hits in game two. Christina Patton was charged with the loss as she and Meghan Waidler split time in the pitching circle.
 
UCCS is No. 10 in the RMAC standings and two games out from a three-way tie for seventh with one series left in the regular season. The top eight teams qualify for the 2017 RMAC Tournament. UCCS will travel to Black Hills State (5-35, 3-29 RMAC) for a four-game series April 29-30, in Spearfish, S.D.