ST. GEORGE, Utah – The Western New Mexico University softball team heads right back on the road this week as they will compete in the Dixie State Tournament this Friday through Sunday. The Lady Mustangs will face Western Oregon, Cal Baptist, Hawaii-Hilo, Montana State-Billings and Dixie State.
WNMU (3-7) is coming off of the Desert Stinger in which they went 2-3. They started strong winning the first two games over ranked Augustana and CSU-Monterey Bay, before dropping the final three.
Freshman
Clarissa Moreno (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) has jumped to the top of the team batting average list holding a .421 average. She has compiled eight hits, two doubles and an RBI in eight games this year. Senior
Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) is batting over .300 posting a .304 clip. She has seven hits, a double, a triple, four RBI and five runs scored. Junior
Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) is tied with Moreno for the team lead in hits with each collecting eight. Senior
Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) paces the team in RBI accumulating six.
In the circle, freshman
Tiana Salazar (Peoria, AZ/Peoria) leads the way in ERA (3.20) and wins (2). She has started three games, appearing in five total and logging 19.2 innings. She was also named the RMAC Pitcher of the Week. Redshirt junior
Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) leads the team in appearances (8), starts (4), innings (31), saves (1) and strikeouts (19). She has a 4.06 ERA in 31 innings of work and a 1-4 record. Senior
MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) has been in five games so far and tallied 8.1 innings and a 7.56 ERA, to go along with a 0-3 record.
WNMU opens the tournament on Friday at 10 a.m. against Western Oregon. The Wolves are 1-3 on the season and faced RMAC opponent MSU Denver, splitting a pair this past weekend. They also played two against UC San Diego. Alex Frazier leads the offense tallying a .444 batting average. Keslie Gardner, Destiny Kuehl and Ryanne Huffman have all driven in two runs to lead the team.
In the circle, Alyson Boytz has seen the most time with 13 innings worked, 3.46 ERA and a 1-1 record in two starts. Lizzet Dominguez made the other two starts and is 0-2 with a 9.72 ERA in 8.1 innings.
The Lady Mustangs close Friday at 3 p.m. versus Cal Baptist. The Lancers are off to a strong start going 6-1, including a 4-1 mark at the Desert Stinger. They are currently receiving votes in the NFCA Preseason Poll. They beat RMAC opponent Colorado Mesa, before falling to Regis in the final game. Cal Baptist has three players hitting over .500 led by Erin Burkhart's .583. Jacque Lopez has driven in a team-best 11 RBI.
In the circle, Kayla Hatch is 3-0 with a 1.62 ERA in 17.1 innings. Kellye Springstead is right behind with a 1.79 ERA in 15.2 innings and a 2-1 record.
WNMU opens Saturday at 12:30 p.m. facing the University of Hawaii at Hilo. The Vulcans are 2-3 with all of their games taking place at the Desert Stinger. They defeated RMAC opponent Regis earlier in the tourney. Cristina Menjivar and Brittany Huff lead the team with a .375 batting average. Victoria Garcia and Bailey Gaspar lead the team with five runs batted in, Garcia also has the only home run.
In the circle, Cyanne Fernandez has a 2.33 ERA in three innings to lead the way. Billi Derleth is 0-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 16 innings, while Danielle Wilson adds a 2-1 mark with a 5.60 ERA in 15 innings.
The Lady Mustangs close Saturday at 3 p.m. against Montana State-Billings. The Yellow Jackets are 2-3 on the season after hosting the Desert Stinger. They faced RMAC school UC-Colorado Springs and posted the victory. They also will face Dixie State three times before the Dixie State Tournament. Kesley Devlin leads the team with a .357 batting average. Bella Rovens has driven in four to lead the way.
In the circle, Megan Dettling has a 3.50 ERA in 16 innings worked and a 2-1 record. Amanda Roark has also seen time logging 14.1 innings and is 0-2 with a 14.16 ERA.
The Lady Mustangs close the tournament on Sunday against host No. 2 Dixie State at 10 a.m. The Red Storm were ranked No. 2 in the Preseason NFCA Poll and are 2-2 to start the season. They defeated RMAC schools CSU-Pueblo and Fort Lewis. Three players are currently hitting over .600 led by Jessica Gonzales' .667. Autumn Woodfall is at .636 and Janessa Bassett holds a .615 average. Brooklyn Beardshear has a team-high eight RBI.
In the circle, Aryn Feickert has seen the most time going 16.1 innings and is 1-2 with a 1.65 ERA. Beardshear adds a 6.00 ERA and 1-0 record in 6.0 innings pitched.
Due to other events also taking place at Dixie State, live stats are only available for games played on field #1. WNMU only plays Dixie State on field #1, thus the first four games of the tournament will not have live stats.
