SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University softball team hosted Texas A&M International at Mustang Field Mayer, in Silver City, NM. The Mustang bats were awake and the defense played well, but TAMIU's bats were just too much. TAMIU won the first game 13-2 and the second game 16-5.

Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) got the start for the Mustangs she pitched well the first 4.0 innings, giving up just 2 runs in the first two innings. In the 5th and 6th innings, the Dust Devils bats exploded. Hunt would go on to 5.0+ innings, giving 13 R (11 ER), on 15 H, and just 1 walk.

The Mustangs catcher had a great game behind the plate and with the stick. Medina helped kill momentum throwing a runner at third after TAMIU hit a leadoff homerun followed by a triple. Medina as hit a solo blast in the third inning, swaying the momentum to the Mustangs.

In the fourth inning, Briana Arrendondo started the inning off with a double. She would advance to third on a groundball to second base. Looking like the Dust Devils were going to score until Hunt got the next hitter to pop out and center fielder Eliza Ortiz (Santa Clara, N.M/Cobre HS) robbed a homerun to shutting down TAMIU.

In the 5th and 6th innings, TAMIU figured out Hunt hitting 6 extra-base hits including three doubles and two homeruns. Arrendondo had homeruns in both innings, totaling 4 RBI's and 3 extra-base hits in the game. Dust Devils Erika Cortez and Darrian Smith also had homeruns in the game. WNMU put in Brittany Santellanes (El Paso, TX/Americas HS), who would have a clean inning, facing three batters. 

The Mustangs tallied 7 hits include three extra-base hits. Dust Devils starting pitcher Erika Cortez kept the Mustangs from scoring as she got the win for TAMIU. She would pitch a complete game, 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, 8 K, 1 BB

Mustangs to Highlight:

Nikki Medina (El Paso, TX/Montwood HS): 1-2, HR, 1 RBI

Eliza Ortiz (Santa Clara, N.M/Cobre HS): 2-3, 3B, 1 R

Cecy Jurado: 2-3

Kaila Burnett (Nanakuli, HI/Nanakuli High & Intermediate School): 1-3, 2B, 1 RBI

Game Two

Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) started the game and got the loss (1-6) for the Mustangs pitching 4.0 innings, giving up 8 H, 10 ER, and 5 BB. Brittany Santellanes (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) came in the 5th inning, pitching 2.0 IP, giving up 7 hits, 6 ER, and striking out one.

The Mustangs had 8 hits in game two. Ortiz continues the hot bat, going 2-4. Samantha Corral (El Paso, TX/Socorro HS) also had two hits.

The Mustangs are continuously fighting back after opposing teams continue to score in the first inning. WNMU was down 3-0 and were forced to be in defensive mode. 

In the 2nd inning, Burnett hit a ball down the left field line scoring the first Mustang run. The Mustangs wouldn't score again until the 4th inning when Britney Hickman got the call to pinch-hit with bases load. Hickman would deliver scoring two Mustangs. 

Going into the 5th inning, TAMIU led 8-3, until Darrian Smith and Arrendondo went back-to-back, making the lead 10-3. 

Corral would get those two runs back after a single that would bring in two. Those would be the last two runs the Mustangs would score.

Denise Longoria had two homeruns for the Dust Devils. Her first was a grand slam in the 3rd inning and a three-run shot in the 6th. She would end the game with 7 RBI's.

Chelsea Salinas got the win for TAMIU, pitching 4.1 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 2 K, 3 BB, and a HBP. Denise Longoria came in towards the end of the game and pitched a clean 1.2 innings.

Mustangs to Highlight:

E. Ortiz: 2-4

B. Hickman: 1-1, 2 RBI

S. Corral: 2-3, 1 R, 2 RBI

The Mustangs will host a doubleheader, Sunday, March 28th against Texas A&M-Kingsville starting at 12pm and 2pm MT. 

*** 

 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 (Twitter & Instagram).