SILVER CITY, NM – The WNMU softball team had their hands full in the first of four games versus the CSU – Pueblo Thunderwolves on Saturday afternoon. In a strong defensive game from both teams, the Mustangs were able to come out on top and took the first game in 11 innings, 6-5. The Mustangs then had the momentum in the second game. After five innings, the game was called. The Mustangs took the easy 8-0 victory.

Brianne Grommon (19-8, Mesa, AZ) threw a stellar game in game one. In the 11-inning game, there were only nine hits from the Thunderwolves and six hits from the Mustangs. Grommon waved off a total of 11 batters to Pueblo's four.

Senior Cassidi Caringi (Phoenix, AZ) got the day started with a solo homerun in the bottom of the second. Very little action happened between the third and sixth inning. Pueblo was able to answer with a homerun of their own in the sixth to tie the game.

Going into extra innings, things got a bit shaky in the Mustangs dugout when Pueblo's Shana Martin blasted a two-run homer with one out.

The Mustangs came charging back. With two outs and runners on second and third, senior Meredith Drahota (Phoenix, AZ) tripled to right field to send Rhiannon Costello (Tucson, AZ) and Rebecca Reynolds (Benson, AZ) home to tie the game.

Each team was able to score two runs again in the tenth: Pueblo off of two sacrifice flies and Western off of a two-RBI homerun by Reynolds.

Finally, the Mustangs were able to snatch the game thanks to the international second base rule. Cory Usher (Monterey, CA), who had the third out in the tenth, was placed on second base at the beginning of Western's at-bats in the 11th. With a heads-up play, Usher stole third and then scored on an error by Pueblo's shortstop to end the game.

Reynolds went 2-of-3 at bat in the first game.

The Mustangs were fired up for game two. They were able to score two runs in the second, two runs in the third, and four runs in the fourth, while keeping Pueblo scoreless.

Debbie Yescas (Sahuarita, AZ) went 2-for-2, sending each ball over the fence.

Pueblo's pitcher Kelsey Swanberg allowed five walks. WNMU's pitcher Erica Beltran (13-3, Mesilla Park, NM) captured the shutout. She allowed four hits and posted three strikeouts.

The two teams will face each other again tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. Five WNMU seniors will be recognized prior to the first pitch.