Softball Set to Begin Road Swing at Texas Woman’s

DENTON, Texas – Following a two week home stand, the Western New Mexico University softball team will now hit the road for the next three weeks with two of the weeks against Lone Star Conference opponents before closing the trip against Embry-Riddle (Ariz.).

WNMU is 0-18 on the season and 0-6 in the conference, but came close in a couple games against No. 21 Angelo State this past weekend. During the second game of the series, Angelo State held on for the 3-1 win and then broke open a close 5-3 game in the final game of the series to take the 7-3 victory.

Junior Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) leads the team with a .421 batting average, with 24 hits, nine doubles, nine RBI and 12 runs scored in starting all 18 games. Senior Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) adds a .368 batting average, along with 21 hits, four doubles, a triple, a home run, nine RBI and 17 runs scored, which leads the team. She has also played in every game this season. Senior Lacy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) adds a .333 batting average, while adding 19 hits, three doubles, a home run, five runs scored and a team-high 15 RBI in playing in every game. WNMU as a team is hitting .268, while opponents are at .351.

In the circle, redshirt senior Domi Shone (Gold Canyon, AZ/Mesquite) has led the team in almost every category including innings (72.1), appearances (16), games started (11), complete games (2), strikeouts (38) and ERA (5.71). Freshmen Lyana Waddell (Winkelman, AZ/San Manuel) and Thailia O'Neill have also seen time in the circle. Waddell has tossed 21.2 innings in 12 appearances and six starts, while O'Neill has nearly seen the same amount of time at 21.1 innings in seven appearances, starting one. The Lady Mustangs as a team have a 7.47 ERA and opponents have a 2.51 ERA.

Texas Woman's is 9-10 overall and 1-5 in the conference having gone 1-2 against Cameron and 0-3 against nationally-ranked West Texas A&M. It was a tough weekend last time out for the Pioneers against No. 7 West Texas A&M as the Lady Buffs won all three games by scores of 20-1, 16-1 and 12-0. Texas Woman's faced West Texas A&M without top pitcher Abby Walker. TWU is led by Hazel Puempel as she is hitting .422 with 19 hits, two doubles and three RBI. Katy Stephens adds a .421 average with two doubles and nine RBI. Nicole Nordie leads the team in home runs with two and tied for the team lead in RBI with 13, along with Tylia Sylestine. Nordie is also hitting .418. TWU is hitting .311 as a team, while opponents are at a .290 average.

In the circle, the Pioneers are led by Walker who has a 3.42 ERA in 11 appearances, starting 10 and logging 55.1 innings and is 5-3 overall. She missed this past week against the Lady Buffs, but pitched the week before against Cameron. Tori Bice has seen action in 34.1 innings in nine appearances, starting three and is 2-6 with a 7.54 ERA. Hailey Dixon has tossed 20.1 innings and has an 8.26 ERA in nine appearances, starting one. They have a 6.02 team ERA, while opponents have a 3.70 ERA.

Live video and stats will be available for all four games, as the teams will play a doubleheader starting on Friday at 5 p.m. Central Time and then another doubleheader on Saturday starting at 1 p.m. Central Time, with the second game of the Saturday doubleheader counting as a non-conference contest.

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Players Mentioned

#14 Mariangela Garcia: SS; 5' 5"; Junior; R/R

#6 Lacy Granger: IN; 5' 2"; Senior; R/R

#2 Linzy Granger: 2B; 5' 2"; Senior; R/R

#23 Domi Shone: P; 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior; L/L

#11 Lyana Waddell: P; 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R

Players Mentioned

#14 Mariangela Garcia
: 5' 5"; Junior; R/R
: SS

#6 Lacy Granger
: 5' 2"; Senior; R/R
: IN

#2 Linzy Granger
: 5' 2"; Senior; R/R
: 2B

#23 Domi Shone
: 5' 8"; Redshirt Senior; L/L
: P

#11 Lyana Waddell
: 5' 4"; Freshman; R/R
: P