COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – Western New Mexico University is picked to finish seventh in the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference this season as voted on by the member coaches that was announced Tuesday.


WNMU finished with a 23-15 conference record, 29-29 overall a season ago and tallied 84 points, seven points ahead of UCCS for the seventh spot. Colorado Mines is the pick to win, garnering seven first-place votes. They were followed by Regis, Metro State, Colorado Mesa, Adams State and CSU-Pueblo ahead of the Mustangs.


Seniors Kaitlynn Barnes (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley High School) and Bri Robles (Mesa, AZ/Mesa High School) were named to the All-Conference Team. Adams State's Katelyn Lovato was named the Preseason Player of the Year, while Colorado Mines' Kelly Unkrich was tabbed as the Pitcher of the Year.


Barnes, a catcher from Phoenix, led the team offensively in batting average (.425), home runs (16), RBI (55), while holding a .977 fielding percentage behind the plate. She also added three triples, 13 doubles and 79 hits.


Robles, a pitcher from Mesa, Ariz., posted a 3.52 ERA in 194.2 innings tossed. She tallied a 15-16 record, while appearing in 35 games, starting 29, along with 21 complete games.


WNMU opens the season on Feb. 4 in the Grand Canyon University Kickoff when they will face the host institution to start the season.