Tucson, A.Z.. - Western New Mexico University Softball team completed their final two games in DII Cactus Classic. The Mustangs hit two home runs on the day but it wasn't enough to defeat Simon Fraser or California University (PA). Simon Fraser went on to win 13-5 and California (PA) won 14-2.

The Mustangs totaled 41 hits in six games. The Mustangs are averaging 11 hits a game this season and have eight players batting over .300.

Game One Against Simon Fraser:

The Mustangs offense came out hot in the 1st inning scoring three runs. Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school) led the game off with a single. The next batter, Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) hit a long fly ball over the left field fence. Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) later hit an RBI single, putting the Mustangs up 3-0.

Simon Fraser didn't back down. They too would get a base hit to lead off the inning and the next batter hit a homerun to left field. They would later hit an RBI double to tie the game up at 3-3.

In the 3rd inning, SFU would hit a pair of doubles and a sac fly that would bring in three runs. They would lead 6-3.

Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS) stepped up to the plate in the 5th inning and hit a two RBI single, cutting SFU's lead to 6-5.

Simons Fraser's offense continued to explode in the 5th as they would get four runs on four hits. That gave SFU a 10-5 lead. 

In the 6th inning, SFU's Janique Balcaen launched a solo home run to right field. They would put the game out of reach with a two RBI double. Simon Fraser would go on to win 13-5.

SFU had 18 hits, seven extra-base hits, including five doubles and two home runs, and seven girls had a multi-hit game.

Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) got the start for the Mustangs. She pitched 5.0 IP, 18 H, 13 R (12 ER), and a K.

SFU's starting pitcher, Annissa Zacharczuk is now (2-1). She pitched 6.0 IP, 11 H, 5 ER, 2 K, and 2 BB. 

Mustangs notable hitters: 

Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS): 1-for-4, HR, R, 2 RBI

Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school): 2-for-3, R, BB

A. Munoz: 2-for-3, 2 R

Janae Ruiz (Kearny, AZ/ Ray High School): 2-for-2, BB

B. Munoz: 2-for-4, R

Game Two Against California (PA):

California (PA) would take game two against the Mustangs, 14-2.

Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS) got the start. She would pitch into the 7th inning but got the loss. Her final line went 6.2 IP, 13 H, 12 R (8 ER), 3 BB, and HBP. 

The Mustangs had three players with a multi-hit game. They tallied 8 hits and had two extra-base hits.

For Cal U, they would start Kaitlyn Leary as an opener. She would pitch just one inning and walk one. Caleigh Rister, would finish the game. She pitched 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, and 3 SO. Rister is now (1-1) on the year.

Mustang errors led to big innings for the Vulcans. The Mustangs ended the game with five.

 In the 1st inning, CalU got on the board first with an RBI double. The next inning they would get another off an RBI single. After 2 innings, the Vulcans led 2-0. 

In the 3rd inning Breeanna Simmons (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian High School) stepped up to the plate and launched a ball over the left field fence, tying the game 2-2.

In the 4th inning, CalU got two runs off three hits, including an RBI triple, making the score 4-2. The 5th inning led to Vulcans scoring three more runs. Errors hurt the Mustangs, making the score 7-2.

In the 7th inning, the Vulcans scored six runs on four hits. CalU put the game out of reach with a score of 14-2.

Three Vulcan hitters had a multi-hit game. They tallied 13 hits and had four extra-base hits.

CalU's notable hitters:

Caleigh Rister: 3-for-6, 3B, 3 R, 2 RBI, 

Britney Wilson: 3-for-5, 2B, R, RBI

Alexa Pastor: 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI

Jaquay Salena: 1-for-3, 3 R, RBI, 2 BB

Mustangs Notable Players:

B. Simmons: 1-for-3, HR, R, 2 RBI

A. Munoz: 2-for-3, R

J. Ruiz: 2-for-3

M. Garcia: 2-for-4

The Mustangs will start conference play at Mustang Field March 4th against Texas Woman's with the doubleheader starting at 12:00pm and the second starting around 2:00pm. March 6th, the Mustangs will play Midwestern State with  the doubleheader starting 12:00pm and the second starting around 2:00pm.

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).