LAS VEGAS, Nev. – The Western New Mexico University softball team ran into a pair of tough matchups on Saturday falling to Northwest Nazarene, 6-2, and to Azusa Pacific, 9-0, in five innings during day two of the Desert Stinger.

Against Northwest Nazarene in the first game, senior MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Goodwin matched each other in the circle through the first three innings.

With the game scoreless in the fourth, the Crusaders were able to break the seal with three runs on four hits to take a 3-0 lead.

WNMU (3-6) answered right back in the top of the fifth. Junior Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) started the run with a one out single. Freshman Yasmeen Gastelum (Phoenix, AZ/Pinnacle) advanced her to second on a sacrifice bunt and freshman Clarissa Moreno (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) cashed in with a single through the left side for the RBI. The offense wasn't done, with senior Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) reaching on an error by the shortstop to setup an RBI opportunity for senior Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City) and she didn't waste any time with the base hit through the left side leaving WNMU down just one, 3-2.

Northwest Nazarene waited an inning later to put up three more runs in the sixth on four hits along with a pair of Lady Mustang errors to open a 6-2 advantage.

WNMU threatened in their last at-bat in the seventh getting a walk by Moreno and then a single by Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City), but that would be as far as the rally would get before the Crusaders held on for the victory.

Northwest Nazarene held a 14-5 advantage on hits. Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City) led the Lady Mustangs with two hits. Sylvester posted three hits to pace the Crusaders.

In the circle, MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) ended up with the loss (0-3) going three-plus innings and allowing two earned runs. Freshman Tiana Salazar (Peoria, AZ/Peoria) closed the final three innings allowing two earned runs.

Goodwin went the distance for the Crusaders to grab her second (2-0) win of the season allowing two earned runs.

In the second game against Azusa Pacific, the Cougars opened the scoring and never looked back. They plated a run in the second, three in the third and then five more in the fifth.

WNMU threatened right away in the bottom of the first. Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City) opened the frame with a single to shortstop. With one out, sophomore Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) walked. The Cougars avoided any further damage getting a strikeout and groundout to end the threat.

The Lady Mustangs added a hit each in the third and fifth, but that would be it.

Azusa Pacific held a 12-3 advantage on hits. Enriquez posted a pair of hits to lead the offense.

The Cougars had five players with two hit games, while Eccles drove in a pair of runs.

In the circle, redshirt junior Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) ended up with the loss (1-3) as she went four innings and allowed just two earned runs. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Salazar pitched the final inning in relief.

Garcia went all five innings to pick up the win (2-0) for the Cougars.

WNMU will wrap up the Desert Stinger on Sunday at 2 p.m. (Pacific Time) against Concordia University (Calif.).