SILVER CITY, N.M. – The Western New Mexico University softball team made the trip to Austin, TX, playing a doubleheader against St. Edwards University. The Hilltoppers swept the day winning the first game 3-2 and the second game 5-0.

Game One

The Mustangs got on the board first, scoring a run in the first inning, off of a Kaila Burnett (Nanakuli, HI/Nanakuli High & Intermediate School) single. St. Edwards quickly responded scoring two of their own runs in the second inning. WNMU would get a run across in the 3rd inning after Nikki Medina (El Paso, TX/Montwood HS) would get hit by a pitch. St. Edwards would answer right back in the third inning, retaking the lead after a double to left-center. 

Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) got the start in game one, pitching a complete game. Hunt pitched 6.0 IP, 3 R (1 ER), 6 H, 3 BB, 2 HBP. 

The Hilltoppers would use three pitchers on the day and kept the Mustangs offense off-balanced, as WNMU had just three hits. Emily Klanika got the late start, pitching 2.2 IP, giving up 2 H, 2 ER, 1k, and 3 BB. Lauren Jaersh got the win pitching 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 K, and 1 BB. Cadie Belle Currie was awarded the save after pitching 1.1 IP, and a K.

Mustangs to Highlight:

K. Burentt: 2-3, 1 RBI

B. Santellanes: 1-3, 2 R, 1 BB

N. Medina: 0-2, 1 RBI, HBP

Game Two

Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) got the start for the Mustangs in game two. Munoz pitched much better as of late, going 6.0 IP, 9, 5 R (4 ER), and 2 BB. Munoz would get the loss, making her record now 1-7 on the year.

The Mustangs would only have two hits in the second game off of St. Edwards's McKenna Leamon. WNMU's first hit would come in the 4th off a Kaila Burnett (Nanakuli, HI/Nanakuli High & Intermediate School) base hit. Katie Knezevich (Goodyear, AZ/Verrado High School ) would single in the 5th giving WNMU their second hit of the game.

Kathryn Connelly and Valarie Brant had the hot sticks for the Hilltoppers. Connelly would go 3-4, HR, 2 R, 1 RBI. Brant was also 3-4, 1 R, 2 RBI. Connelly's homerun would come in 6th, extending their lead 5-0.

Mustangs to Highlight:

K. Burnett: 1-3

K. Knezevich: 1-2, BB

WNMU will go on to play a doubleheader against St. Mary's (TX), Sunday, April 11th, starting at 12:00pm, with the second game to follow.

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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