With 27 total runs in the first game and 16 runs in the second, many might think it was a football score. Although it was on the softball field, it was a grudge match, much like a football contest. WNMU and the Colorado School of Mines ended up splitting the games, once again, on Sunday. CSM came out on top the first game, 14-13, but WNMU answered, winning 10-6 in the final game.
The fans in the stands thought they may only see five-inning game in the first of two games as the Mustangs were down 8-1 as they headed into the bottom on the third inning. The Orediggers scored two runs in the first, two in the second, and four in the third. The Mustangs committed five errors in the third inning alone.
But the WNMU team didn't quit. They came together in the third and put their first seven batters on base. All seven of those base runners made it home. Senior Valerie Villela (Chandler, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) (Chandler, AZ) drove in Katie Jo Castaneda (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) (Carlsbad, NM) and Cory Usher (Monterey, CA/Monterey High School) (Monterey, CA) with a homerun over the left field fence. Two batters later, Antoinette Estrella (Glendale, AZ/Apollo High School) (Glendale, AZ) marked a two-run RBI homerun. Jody Clark (El Paso, TX/Irvin High School) (El Paso, TX) was the next Mustang to drive in two runs after Rebecca Reynolds (Benson, AZ/Benson High School) (Benson, AZ) doubled to centerfield and Stephanie Bisgard (Scottsdale, AZ/Coronado High School) (Scottsdale, AZ) walked. The third inning ended with the Mustangs tying the game at eight after six hits and three CSM errors.
WNMU got the go-ahead run in the fourth when pinch runner Brittany Shannon (Silver City, NM/Silver High School) scored on a passed ball.
The Mustangs kept the lead going into the bottom of the sixth, 10-9, and extended that lead to 13-9 when Usher singled to left field, bringing in runner Bisgard. Lewis then singled to right field to bring in Usher and Clark.
But the Orediggers would not call it quits. They quickly posted three runs after a homer to centerfield. Then with two outs, CSM sent another one out of the park, good for two runs to take the 14-13 lead.
With runners on second and third and only one out, the Mustangs had the opportunity to score, but two pop-ups ended the game.
The Mustangs connected on 15 hits in game one, but committed a total of seven errors.
Lewis finished the first game going four-of-five and driving in three runs. Bisgard and Estrella combined for five hits.
Brianne Grommon (Mesa, AZ/Mountain View High School) (Mesa, AZ) posted the loss.
Game two started out much the same way as the first. The Mustangs found themselves down 6-1 going into the bottom of the third, but quickly took the 9-6 lead after seven hits. The Orediggers were forced to change pitchers twice in the third in order to stop the Mustangs from scoring anymore.
The Mustangs tacked on one more run in the fifth when Usher singled to centerfield, allowing Clark, who was on third, to score.
Usher and Lewis both had three hits. Clark and Castaneda finished the day with two hits each.
Junior Priscilla Garcia (Albuquerque, NM/St. Pius X High School) (Albuquerque, NM) threw for the win.
Click here for complete game one statistics.
Click here for complete game two statistics.
