Softball Hosts Adams State for Season Opener

Softball 1/31/2020 4:17:00 PM

Softball Hosts Adams State for Season Opener

SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico softball team will have the luxury of opening their season at home with a three game series this weekend against Adams State. Saturday features a doubleheader, scheduled for 11 and 1 p.m., with a single game on Sunday at 12 p.m.
Head Coach Elsa Cocker enters her third season at the helm of Mustang Softball after serving as the assistant in 2017. Prior to her time at WNMU, Coach Cocker spent 2014-2016 with Trinity Valley Community College as an assistant, specializing in the hitters and outfielders.
A native of Ewa Beach, Hawaii, Coach Cocker committed two seasons to Lone Star Conference rival Angelo State. Cocker earned all-conference honors her junior and senior season with the Belles, helping lead her team to a conference and regional championship playing primarily at third base.

NEW AND IMPROVED
Last season the Mustangs finished with a 7-33 record overall, 6-24 in league play with series wins over UT Permian Basin and Texas Woman's, while stealing a game from Eastern New Mexico and Tarleton. Since then, they have graduated six seniors including leading hitter and two-time All-Conference selection Ariana Maldonado (Albuquerque, NM/Cibola).
Nine new faces will suit up in the Purple and Yellow this season, combining with the nine returners for a new and refined lineup. Sophomore, Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) returns for the Mustangs after a standout freshman season. The Tucson native ranked third on the team with a .279 hitting percentage behind 31 hits, second most on the team. A consistent part of the lineup, Garcia notched 19 runs, six doubles, two homeruns and 16 RBIs.
WNMU also return veteran pitchers Lyana Waddell (Winkelman, AZ/San Manuel HS) and Jayln McClain for their senior seasons. Waddell appeared in 12 games for the Mustangs, with five starts as a junior. In her debut season with the Mustangs, McClain appeared in 21 games with 14 starts for a 3-13 record. She had the second most strikeouts (28) on the team, behind now sophomore Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS). Vega had the most appearances on the mound for WNMU with 28, sporting a 4-14 record with 36 strikeouts and a 7.92 ERA.

SCOUTING THE GRIZZLIES:
Under the direction of long time head coach Dervin Taylor, the Grizzlies will open their preseason this weekend against the Mustangs after finishing the 2019 season, 12-37 overall and 12-25 in conference play.
Fifteen Grizzlies return to the diamond this season, including Honorable Mention All-RMAC utility pitcher Brittany Phillips. Phillips finished her sophomore campaign hitting at a team high .354 clip, tallying 40 hits in 44 games. On the mound, Phillips recorded 16 starts with 28 appearances and 36 strikeouts for a 5-14 record.
A member of the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference, the Mustangs are familiar with the Grizzlies in a series that dates back to 2007. WNMU holds a 25-14 advantage in the series, but dropped a 14-7 decision to ASU in 2018, the last time these two teams met.

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Players Mentioned

#9 Ariana Maldonado: OF; 5' 3"; Junior; R/R

#14 Marina Garcia: OF; 5' 5"; Senior; R/R

#18 Julia Vega: P; 5' 6"; Junior; R/R

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

Players Mentioned

#9 Ariana Maldonado
: 5' 3"; Junior; R/R
: OF

#14 Marina Garcia
: 5' 5"; Senior; R/R
: OF

#18 Julia Vega
: 5' 6"; Junior; R/R
: P

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