Albuquerque, N.M. - Western New Mexico University Softball team played their first non-conference series in eight years against Colorado State University-Pueblo. Mustang Field was full of action, leading to a long game one. The Mustangs would lose game one 13-12. Game two has been postponed to Sunday, due to darkness. The game will resume in the top of the 6th inning with CSUP leading 13-8.

Game One:

The first game of three on the weekend was a long one. The game lasted three hours and fifteen minutes, with 25 total runs scored between the two teams.

The Mustangs got off to a great start against the ThunderWolves, putting up seven runs in the first two innings. Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) got things going for the Msutangs with a two RBI single in the first inning. In the second inning, Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) brought in a run off an error. Breeana Simmons would then triple in three runners. Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS), the Mustangs starting pitcher, would help herself out with an RBI single, giving the Mustangs the early 7-0 lead.

CSU-Pueblo would answer back with a three-run homerun from Hannah Hackney, cutting the Mustangs lead to 7-3.

The ThunderWolves had a huge fourth inning scoring seven runs on seven hits. CSUP scored five runs with two outs. A critical error would prolong the inning as well and the ThunderWolves would continue from station-to-station.

In the fifth inning, WNMU got the bases loaded and Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) would single in a run. The very next batter, Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) would single up the middle bringing in another Mustang runner. Bringing in the the third run of the inning, Simmons would put her body on the line and get hit by a pitch. B. Munoz joined the action and doubled to left field to give the Mustangs a 12-10 lead.

The Mustangs would give up the lead in the 7th off an error. The ThunderWolves would take the momentum and win the game 13-12. 

J. Vega got the nod for the Mustangs. She pitched 7.0 IP, 11 H, 9, (3 ER), 2 K, and 4 BB. B. Munoz pitched 0.0+ IP, 4 H, 4 R, (3 ER), and 1 BB.

ThunderWolves notable Players:

Hannah Hackney: 3-for-4, HR, 1 R, 5 RBI, BB

Isabel Griego: 3-for-4, 3 R, 1 RBI, BB

Katelynn Ralston: 3-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI

WNMU Notable Players:

B. Simmons: 3-for-4, 3B, 3 R, 4 RBI

B. Munoz: 2-for-4, 2B, 4 RBI

M. Garcia: 1-for-5, 3 R, 2 RBI

Game Two:

With game one going so long, CSU-Pueblo and WNMU were racing against sunlight. The game would eventually be called and postponed to Sunday morning, where the game would resume in the sixth inning with CSUP leading 13-8.

Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) earned the start. She would go 3.0 IP, 9 H, 8 R (6 ER), 2 K, 1 BB. Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) would come in pitching 2.0 IP, 5 H, 5 R (2 ER), and 1 K

For CSUP, they would start Katelynn Ralston who was pitching 5.0 IP, 9 H 8 ER, 8 SO, and 4 BB.

The Mustangs were down nine runs in the first four innings. The Mustangs top of the order would help get five runs, helping to extend the game. 

In the fourth inning, the ThunderWolves put up four more runs and were looking to close out the game. Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school) then stepped up to the plate and hit her second home run of the season, good enough for three runs.

ThunderWolves notable Players:
Katelynn Ralston: 3-for-4, 3 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI
Delaney Barela: 3-for-3, 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 2 SB
Raelynn Rodgers: 1-for-4, 2B, 1 R, 3 RBI
Hannah Hackney: 2-for-3, 3 RBI

WNMU Notable Players:
C. Jurado: 2-for-4, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI
M. Garcia: 2-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
L. Morales: 1-for-2, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
B. Simmons: 1-for-2, 2 RBI, BB
 

The Mustangs  will play the series finale at 11:00 am on Sunday.

This game recap is presented by First American Bank. First American Bank is a proud supporter of WNMU Athletics!  

*** 

 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).