SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University softball team hosted Texas A&M Kingsville at Mustang Field, in Silver City, NM. Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) and Brittany Santellanes (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) pitched well for the Mustangs, but the Javelinas came out with two wins, defeating WNMU 4-0 and 6-3.

Game One

Texas A&M Kingsville may have had a 4-0 victory, but Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) pitched a stellar game. Hunt pitched a complete game allowing the Mustang offense to be within range. Hunt's final line was 7.0 IP,12 H, 4 ER, 2 K, 1 BB, 1 HBP 

The Mustangs offense couldn't get going as they had just 6 hits. Grisdey Paredes-Alvarez (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside HS) led the team in hits as she had two knocks for the Mustangs.

First innings continue to put the Mustangs in holes. TAMUK struck first in the first inning, putting WNMU in 1-0 deficit. The Javelinas would go on to score a run in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th innings.

The 5th inning could have been a huge inning for TAMUK, but the Mustangs had a perfect relay from Eliza Ortiz (Santa Clara, N.M/Cobre HS) to Kaila Burnett (Nanakuli, HI/Nanakuli High & Intermediate School), nailing the runner at the plate to end the inning.

TAMUK tallied up 12 hits in the first game. Four Javelinas had multiple hits including their centerfielder going 4-4 with a run and an RBI.  

The Mustangs tallied 6 hits against Javelinas starting pitcher Lizette Del Angel. Del Angel would pitch 7.0 IP, 0 ER, 6 K 

Mustangs to Highlight:

G. Paredes-Alvarez: 2-3, (2) 1B

A. Medina: 1-3, 1B

K. Knezevich: 1-1, 1B

Game Two

Brittany Santellanes (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) started game two, as the Javelinas got the 6-3 win. Santellanes pitched well despite giving up four runs in the 2nd inning and two runs in the 4th inning. Santellanes final line goes 7.0 IP, 12 H, 6 ER, 4 K, 2 BB, 2 HBP.

The Mustangs had 8 hits in game two, three of which came from Samantha Corral (El Paso, TX/Socorro HS). Nikki Medina (El Paso, TX/Montwood HS) continued her hot bat, tallying two hits of her own. 

In the 2nd inning, Corral had a two-RBI single, scoring the first two runs for the Mustangs. WNMU's last run came in the 4th inning as Medina beat out an infield single that would bring in a run.

Four Javelinas had multi-hits in game two, led by Claire Chernosky's three hits. Chernosky would end the game 3-4, 1 R, and 2 RBI. Anastasia Leibas had the only homerun of the day coming in 4th, bringing in two runs.

Breanna Smith got the win for TAMUK, pitching 4.2 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 3 K, and 2 BB. Saidi Castillo got the save after 2.1 IP, 0 ER, and 4 K.

Mustangs to Highlight:

S. Corral: 3-3, (3) 1B, 2 RBI, BB

N. Medina: 2-3, (2) 1B, 1 R, 1 RBI

G. Paredes-Alvarez: 1-2, 2 R, BB

The Mustangs will travel to St. Edwards, playing a doubleheader on April 9th and a doubleheader against St. Mary's on April 11th. 

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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 (Twitter & Instagram).