Silver City, NM – Western New Mexico University softball took on Oklahoma Christian University, falling in both games. The Mustangs had 17 hits for the day despite losing 7-3 and 18-9.

Game One

Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) got the start in game one, pitching a complete game and career-high six strikeouts. Hunt had one bad inning, giving up four runs in the 2nd inning. Hunt would only give up three more runs in the next five innings. Now (0-10), Hunt's final line goes 7.0 IP, 7 R (6 ER), 11 H, 6 K, 1 BB, and 1 HBP.

The Mustangs got their first run of the game in the 3rd inning, with Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) singling down the left field line to bring in Grisdey Parades-Alvarez. Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) doubled in the 5th inning, bringing in Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) and Eliza Ortiz (Santa Clara, N.M/Cobre HS).

The Eagles had a big 2nd inning, scoring four runs. Three runs were due to a pinch-hit three-run homerun by Aaliyah Brown. The Eagles would add on a run in the 3rd and 5th innings. Putting the game out of reach, Katelyn Dunckel blasted a solo homerun.

Kali Crandall got the start for OC, moving on to (20-1), pitching 7.0 IP, 3 ER, 7 H, 3 K, 2 BB, and 4 HPB.

Mustangs to Highlight:

B. Munoz: 3-3, HR, 1 RBI, 1 HBP

K. Burnett: 2-4, 1 R, 

M. Garcia: 1-3, 2 RBI

Game Two

Brittany Santellanes (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) would get the start for the Mustangs in game two, giving 11 runs in 0.2 innings of work. Santallanes would get the loss (0-4) pitching 0.2 IP, 11 R (8 ER), 7 H, 1 K, 1 BB, and 1 HBP. Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) would come in pitching 4.1 IP, 7 ER, 9 H, 2 K, and 4 BB. 

The Eagles scored 11 runs in the first inning, seven of the runs came from the five extra-base hits OC continued to manufacture.

After giving up 11 runs in the top of the first inning, the Mustangs showed fight, scoring five of their own. Burnett would single in a run, setting a Samantha Corral (El Paso, TX/Socorro HS) two-RBI double off the left center fence. Mustangs weren't done, three batters later, Nikki Medina (El Paso, TX/Montwood HS) would double bringing in two more runners. 16 total runs would be scored in the first inning.

The Mustangs would score four more runs in the 3rd inning. Kate Knezevich would single into centerfield bringing, in two runners. The very next batter, Santellanes would single bringing in Knezevich. Again, the Mustangs weren't done, as Kaila Burnett (Nanakuli, HI/Nanakuli High & Intermediate School) would get a run in on the fielder's choice. After three innings, WNMU was down 13-9.

In the 4th and 5th innings, the Eagles scored their remaining five runs on homeruns. Brooklin Bain would homerun for the second time in the fourth inning. Katelyn Dunckel and Brianna Robinson would homerun in the 5th inning,

Oklahoma Christian's Bailey Turner started the game but only lasted two innings. Turner's final line goes 2.0 IP, 8 ER, 7 H, 2 K, and 3 HPB. Lindsey Stoeckel got the win for OC (3-0), Pitching 3.0 IP, 1 ER, 3 H, and 4 K. 

Mustangs to Highlight:

E. Ortiz: 2-4, 2B,1 R

K. Burnett: 1-3, 2 RBI, 1 R

S. Corral: 2-3. 2B, HBP

K. Knezevich: 1-2, 2 RBI, 2 R

M. Garcia: 2-3, 2 R

N. Medina: 2-3, 2B, 2 RBI, HBP

B. Santellanes: 1-2, 1 RBI, 1 R, HBP

WNMU will have their last road trip starting with rival Eastern New Mexico on April 23rd, for 3pm and 5pm MT games. WNMU will then head to Amarillo, TX, playing West Texas A&M for a doubleheader, on April 24th, starting at 11am and 1pm MT.

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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).