LUBBOCK, Texas – Lubbock Christian University was once again on their game in the first game of the day as they took the 9-0 victory over the Western New Mexico University softball team Saturday. The second game of the day nearly witnessed a Lady Mustang comeback before coming up just short in a 9-6 loss to Oklahoma Panhandle State University.

Once again opening the day against Lubbock Christian (4-0), the Lady Mustangs (0-4) stayed right with the Lady Chaps through the first few innings. WNMU was able to get a runner on in the first inning with sophomore Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) getting hit-by-pitch, but would advance no further.

Senior MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) kept LCU in check throughout the opening innings getting a 1-2-3 first inning and allowing just a walk in the second.

In the third, the Lady Chaps got on the board and capitalized on an error to score seven unearned runs and take a 7-0 lead into the fourth.

Freshman Ariana Maldonado (Albuquerque, NM/Cibola) recorded the first hit for WNMU in the fourth inning with a leadoff single through the right side. Garcia added a single to right field to put runners at first and second. However, a pair of fly outs and a groundout left the runners stranded.

LCU added two more in the home half of the fourth to open a 9-0 lead. The Lady Mustangs had to get a pair of runs to keep the game going in the fifth and although they got a two out single by senior Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City) that would be all with the Lady Chaps taking the run-rule win.

MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) took the loss in the circle despite allowing no earned runs in 2.2 innings of work. Redshirt junior Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) also logged 1.1 innings allowing just one earned run.

Bell picked up the win for the Lady Chaps with four innings of work and no walks, with five strikeouts. Bell also paced the offense with four RBI.

In the second game of the day, WNMU went against Oklahoma Panhandle State University. OPSU (1-3) benefited from four errors in the first inning to plate seven runs and open the early 7-0 lead through one inning of play.

Redshirt freshman Brooklyn Misenhimer (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro) helped ignite the Lady Mustangs in the second inning with a leadoff walk. She later moved to second on a wild pitch before junior Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) worked a four-pitch walk. Following two quick outs, the inning was far from over. Senior Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) walked on four straight balls to load the bases. Junior Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) also walked on four straight out of the strike zone to bring in the first run for WNMU. After a pitching chance, Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) came home on a wild pitch before Maldonado drilled a double to right-center to plate a pair of runs and leave WNMU down just three, 7-4, heading into the bottom of the second.

The Aggies got a solo home run back in their half of the second to take an 8-4 lead.

The Lady Mustang offense continued to pile up runs in the third. Senior Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Misenhimer opened the frame with a pair of singles. Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) drove a double down the left field line that brought in Ramirez, but Misenhimer was cut down at the plate. Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) then advanced to third on a wild pitch and later scored on another wild pitch to trim the deficit to two, 8-6, after three innings.

The score settled in at 8-6 for the next several innings when OPSU added a run in the sixth for the 9-6 lead.

WNMU made things interesting in the seventh. Freshman Yasmeen Gastelum (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle) came on to pinch-hit and singled to left-center. After a fielder's choice out, Castillo came on to also pinch-hit and singled to left-center. Freshman Clarissa Moreno (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) kept the train moving with a single through the right side to load the bases with one out. Criselda Luna was then able to settle down in the circle for OPSU to get a lineout and a groundout to end the game.

WNMU outhit OPSU, 11-10. Moreno led the way going 3-4, while Maldonado and Ramirez collected two hits apiece. Maldonado drove in a team-high two RBI.

Julia Ibarra led OPSU with a pair of hits, while Janna Ruether drove in two runs.

MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) started in the circle for WNMU and ended up with the loss despite allowing two earned runs. Shone was solid in relief going the final 5.1 innings and allowing just two earned runs.

Luna came on in relief for the Aggies to toss the final 4.2 innings to get the win as she allowed no runs.

WNMU will face OPSU again on Sunday with a single game set for 1 p.m. Central Standard Time.