SILVER CITY, NM — The Mustangs of WNMU (16-11 overall, 13-5 RMAC) did not let the rain on Saturday hamper their play on Sunday in Las Vegas, New Mexico. The Mustangs came out swinging immediately and took the first two games (of four) versus RMAC member New Mexico Highlands University (8-23 overall, 4-14 RMAC), 8-3 and 8-6.
In the first game, leadoff batter Meredith Drahota (Phoenix, AZ) started things with a single through the right side. Later, Drahota was out at third on a fielder's choice by Cassidi Caringi (Phoenix, AZ), but junior Debbie Yescas was then able to double to center field and bat in runner Cory Usher (Monterey, CA), who reached first on a fielder's choice. Catcher Emily Robinson (Pleasant Hill, CA) brought in two more runs with her single up the middle. The Mustangs took the early 3-0 lead at the end of the first and never looked back.
NMHU was able to score one run in the bottom of the third off of two hits and one error. WNMU answered an inning-and-a-half later with two runs off of a walk by Drahota and an error in favor of Usher, committed by the NMHU pitcher Trione.
In Drahota's at-bat in the sixth, she was able to double to right center and bring in freshman Rebecca Reynolds (Benson, AZ) from first. The Mustangs finished their scoring in game one with two more runs off of new NMHU pitcher Pino. Highlands tried to muster up a comeback with two runs of their own in the bottom of the seventh but came up short. The Mustangs got the win, 8-3.
Junior Brianne Grommon (Mesa, AZ) took home the win for the Mustangs. She is currently 11-4 on the season. Drahota and Reynolds each had two hits on their four at-bats. Each also had a double.
The second game for the Mustangs did not come quite as easy despite scoring right away in the first. Antoinette Estrella (Glendale, AZ) grounded out to the shortstop, which then allowed Drahota, who was hit by a pitch, to score an unearned run.
With little action in the second inning and the top of the third, Highlands went on a streak in the bottom of the third, scoring four runs off of three hits and one error. At the end of the third, the score was 4-1 Highlands.
WNMU was able to bring the score within one in the top of the fourth. First at bat in the inning, Caringi sent the ball over the fence. With two outs, Amber Blair (Show Low, AZ) singled to right field, advancing Robinson to third. Blair then stole second, which allowed Robinson to score on the throw.
But WNMU found themselves down by two quickly again as NMHU's Sayen doubled down the left field line and eventually went home.
Highlands let the game go in the sixth and seventh as they allowed four errors in the two innings. The Mustangs were able to score five runs to take the victory, 8-6.
Caringi went two-for-four at the plate, batted two players in, and scored three runs. Yescas got the only double for the Mustangs in the game.
Erica Beltran (Mesilla Park, NM) pitched the first 5.1 innings, and Grommon closed the game with only one hit allowed and four strikeouts of the seven at-bats.
The Mustangs will continue play tomorrow at NMHU in Las Cruces. Game times are set for 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.
