Silver City, NM – Monday, the Western New Mexico University's Softball team was able to host UT Tyler after snow postponed Sunday's games. UT Tyler's pitching was too much for the Mustangs as they defeated WNMU 8-1 and 14-6.
"The girls competed well against the offensive 'Titans' of UT Tyler. When they were down, they continued to compete to the end" said Head Coach Elsa Cocker.
Cecilia Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school) had the hot bat for the Mustangs today as she was 4-7, a double over the center fielders head bringing in two Mustang runners.
"Cecy had a great day at the plate, swinging with intent and gave us offensive opportunities to score. She was the fuel to the fire, allowing us to score in the later innings" said Cocker.
In the first game, the Mustangs offense wasn't clicking. Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) put the ball in play and got a run scored off an error, giving the Mustangs their only run of the game.
Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) pitched her 4th complete game of the season. Munoz gave up 8 runs (7 ER) off 8 hits, strikeout four Patriot batters, and walking 7. Munoz is now 1-3 on the season.
The Mustangs were down just one run going into the third inning but the big inning continues to hurt the Mustangs. The aggressive Patriots put up four extra-base hits including a homerun and three doubles. In the 6th inning, UT Tyler's Amanda Marek extended the Patriot lead 8-1 after a three-run homerun.
Mustangs to Highlight:
C. Jurado: 3-3
B. Munoz: 1-3, 1 RÂ
Game 2
The first three innings, the game was in reach. Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) held the Patriots to just three runs. Samantha Corral (El Paso, TX/Socorro HS) put the pressure on the UT Tyler defense stealing second and getting a throwing error to bring in Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS). Eliza Ortiz (Santa Clara, N.M/Cobre HS) then singled in Corral, cutting the UT Tyler lead 3-2.
The big inning continued to hurt the Mustangs in the fourth inning as UT Tyler put up 9 runs. 8 of the runs were brought in off of four extra-base hits including three doubles and a homerun.
The Mustangs fought back scrapping up four runs of their own in the 4th inning. Jurado hit a double straight away center, bringing in two. Garcia was due up next, where she singled in Jurado. Eliza Ortiz (Santa Clara, N.M/Cobre HS) had another RBI opportunity and did just that, tripling to left field, making the score 12-4.
UT Tyler wasn't done, scoring two more Patriots. The Patriots ended the second game with six extra-base hits.
The Patriot pitchers limited base runners all day. They only allowed 4 walks in the first game and none in the second game. Erin Hill (4 K) and Chelsea Smith (5 K) combined for nine strikeouts. Hill went three innings giving up 4 runs (2 ER) and Smith pitched two scoreless innings.
Mustangs to Highlight:Â
E. Ortiz: 2-3, triple, 2 RBI
M. Garcia: 2-2, 2 R, 1 RBI
B. Munoz: 2-3
C. Jurado: 1-3, double, 1 R, 2 RBI
The Mustangs will hit the road playing a doubleheader at Lubbock Christian, March 19th starting at 2:00pm and Sunday, March 21st, WNMU travels to Angelo State for a doubleheader starting at 12:00pm.
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 Western New Mexico University is a member of the NCAA Division II, and the Lone Star Conference (LSC). For additional information regarding Mustang Athletics, visit www.wnmumustangs.com; visit wnmu.edu for more information about Western New Mexico University. Follow the Mustangs on social media: @WNMUathletics (TwitterÂ
