LUBBOCK, Texas – The Western New Mexico University softball team opened the 2016 season on Friday and after falling in the opener to Lubbock Christian University, 11-0, the Lady Mustangs fought back and nearly defeated Midwestern State University before coming up just short, 11-8. 

In the first game, the Lady Mustangs went against host Lubbock Christian. The Lady Chaps started early platting three runs on a pair of home runs in the first inning for the 3-0 lead. LCU added six more in the third and then two more in the fourth to take an 11-0 lead. The Lady Mustangs recorded their only hit of the game in the fifth inning on a leadoff single by senior Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad).

Redshirt junior Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) returned to the circle to start for the first time in a year. She lasted 2.1 innings and allowed four earned runs. Senior MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) tossed the final 1.2 innings and allowed two earned runs.

The Lady Chaps were paced by Morgan Colburn who went 2-3 with three RBI and a home run. In the circle, Katera Eltsosie went all five innings to pick up the win allowing just the one hit, along with no walks and nine strikeouts.

WNMU kept fighting back against MSU in the second game of the day. Trailing 2-0 after the top of the first inning, WNMU came right back to tie the game at two.

Preseason All-RMAC selection junior Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) started the inning with a single. Freshman Ariana Maldonado (Albuquerque, NM/Cibola) followed with a walk. Sophomore Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt. Ramirez brought the first run in with an RBI groundout to shortstop and then redshirt freshman Brooklyn Misenhimer (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro) singled to right field to bring in the tying run.

It remained 2-2 into the fourth when MSU brought in two on a two-run homer. In the home half, WNMU was ready to answer again. With one out, senior Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) singled down the left field line and moved to second on an error by the left fielder. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) was then hit-by-pitch and during her at-bat, Enriquez advanced to third on a wild pitch. A groundout to shortstop followed leaving runners at the corners and two outs. Garcia came through with the clutch hit as she double to left-center to bring in both runners and tie the game at four. Ramirez quickly had WNMU threatening in the next at-bat as she tripled to right to score Garcia and she would also come home as an error by the second baseman allowed her to cross the plate to give WNMU a four spot in the fourth and take a 6-4 lead.

The very next inning, MSU recaptured the lead for good plating five runs on five hits, with three of the runs coming in unearned. MSU added two more in the top of the seventh to take an 11-6 lead to the home half.

WNMU didn't go quietly. Misenhimer opened the frame reaching on a throwing error by the second baseman and made it to second. Junior Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) singled down the right field line to drive in the run and moved to second on the throw home. Sophomore Madison Jones (Lakewood, CA/Lakewood) kept the momentum going as she singled up the middle to put runners at the corners. Following a fielder's choice out, Enriquez singled to left to drive in another run and leave WNMU down just three. MSU was able to get out of the jam with a groundout and strikeout to hold on for the win.

The WNMU offense responded in the second game outhitting MSU 14-11. Nine players had at least a hit with Garcia and Enriquez collecting two hits apiece. Garcia and Ramirez drove in two runs each.

Freshman Tiana Salazar (Peoria, AZ/Peoria) started in the circle going four innings and allowing four earned runs with no walks and a pair of strikeouts. Shone tossed the final three innings and took the loss allowing four earned runs and no walks, with four strikeouts.

Voigt and Knox paced MSU with each posting three hits and three RBI. Knox also got the win in the circle going four innings and allowing five earned runs. Helton pitched the final three innings to get the save.

WNMU will play two more on Saturday facing Lubbock Christian at 12 p.m. and then Oklahoma Panhandle State at 4:30 p.m. Both game times are Central Standard Time.