Albuquerque, N.M. - Western New Mexico University Softball team came out winning two games out of four after day two of the South Central Region Tournament. The Albuquerque Regional Sports Complex couldn't contain the softball as the longball helped and hurt the Mustangs. The Mustangs lost their first game to New Mexico Highlands 9-7, but defeated Adams State for the second time in two days, 14-7.

Over the course of the weekend the Mustangs scored 33 runs. They would hit a total of five homeruns, four of them coming on on Sunday. WNMU hitters also had 45 hits, averaging about 11 hits a game. 

Game One vs New Mexico Highlands:

The Mustangs got off to great against New Mexico Highlands, but New Mexico Highlands would hit a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the ninth.

Eight Mustangs would register a hit and four would have a multi-hit game. The Mustangs ended the day with 14 hits compared to NMHU's 12 hits.

The Mustangs leadoff hitter, Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school) had a phenomenal game with three hits. She would leadoff the game with a solo homerun.

"Cecy does a great job of working the count. We felt like leading her off was a good choice for day two so it could help us see a lot of pitches and for her to be a spark. Her energy is contagious!" said Head Coach Ashley Hickman.

Later in the first inning, the Mustangs would add four more runs. Kaylee Hickman (Cloudcroft, NM/Cloudcroft High School ) hit an RBI single. A few batters later, Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) would hit a ball in the RF gap, bringing in two more runs. Trish Gallardo (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista High School) joined the action with a single to LF bringing in the fifth Mustang runner.

In the second inning, Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) would get a three bagger. Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) then walked to bring up Janae Ruiz (Kearny, AZ/ Ray High School). Ruiz singled bringing in A. Munoz and B. Munoz would score off a throwing error.

Seven Mustangs all tallied their first hits of the year. Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School), Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School), and Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) all had RBI's. Morales was the only Mustang to have an extra-base hit, with her double in the second inning.

The Mustangs offense would halt and the Cowgirls would start to rally in the third inning. NMHU's Arianna Rameriz would hit a double and come in to score off of a sac fly making the score 7-1, Mustangs.

In the fourth inning, NMHU had two doubles, two singles, and two sac flies bringing in five runs and cutting the Mustangs lead to 7-6.

In the sixth inning, the Cowgirls leadoff hitter, Camrynn Ziegler, stepped up to plate and hit a solo homerun to tie the game 7-7.

In the seventh inning, the Mustangs had two runners in scoring position but couldn't get them in. With one out and one runner on, NMHU brought in a pinch hitter, Carlee Gonzalez and she would hit a walk-off homerun.

Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) started her first game of the year for the Mustangs. Her final line would go 3.0 IP, 5 ER, 7 H, 1 K, and 2 BB. 

Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) came in for relief. She would be served the loss and is now (1-1) on the year. Her final would go 3.2 IP, 4 ER, 5 H, and 1 K

Four Cowgirls would have a multi-hit game. They also had four extra base hits, all resulting in at least one run.

NMHU's starting pitcher, Demi Uffleman, had a tough time with the Mustang hitters. Her final line would go 1.2 IP, 7 R, (1 ER), 1 K, and 2 BB.

Getting the win for the Cowgirls was Nathalie Blattman, she is now (2-0) on the year. Blattman's day would go 5.1 IP, 0 R, 6 H, 3 K, and 1 BB.

New Mexico Highlands's Notable Players:

Camrynn Ziegler: 3-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Carlee Gonzalez: 1-for-1, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

Arianna Rameriz: 2-for-3, 1 RBI

Megan Gutierrez: 2-for-4, 1 R

Dioni Lincoln: 1-for-3, 1 R, 2 RBI

 

WNMU Notable Players:

C. Jurado: 3-for-5, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

L. Morales: 2-for-4, 3B, 1 R, 2 RBI

J. Ruiz: 2-for-3, 1 R

M. Garcia: 2-for-4, 2B

A. Munoz: 1-for-2, 2 R, 1 BB

 

Game Two vs Adams State:

The Mustangs bats were hot in game two against the Adams State Grizzlies. The Mustangs would go on to win their second game against the Grizzlies 14-7.

Two WNMU hitters would leave the yard with a homerun and one would use her speed and hit an inside-the-park homerun. Four different Mustangs had muli-RBI's. 

"We always want to keep a simple approach and mindset at the plate. This meant each player needed to stay true to the role that they were given during each at bat," explains Hickman. "They really bought into what the team needed at that opportunity and created a lot of confidence for themselves and the next person up."

Cecy Juardo and Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) continued to hit the ball. Juardo ended the game going 2-for-5 and 5-for-10 on the day. Morales went 4-for-5 and 6-for-9 on the day.

"Every time Laryssa got up, I felt confident something was going to happen,"

said Hickman. "She did a great job of leading off innings or stringing together hits."

Morales got things going early in the first inning, singling through the right side bringing in a runner, and another runner would score off a throwing error. 

Adams State got on the board in the first inning as well, taking advantage of a walk. SU's Belinda Vargas would hit a double in the left center gap, bringing in a Grizzly runner.

In the second inning, errors hurt ASU. Marina Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View HS) would make the Grizzlies pay, hitting a single bring in two runners. Going in to the bottom of the second inning, WNMU led 5-1.

In the third inning, the Grizzlies got to WNMU's starting pitcher, Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS). Vega gave up four runs, off of five hits, tying the game 5-5. 

In the fourth inning, Vega helped herself out, hitting a solo homerun over the left field fence. The Mustangs were up 6-5.

Vega started the bottom of the fourth inning but found herself in trouble. She would exit with two runners on. Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) came into pitch and got the first hitters out but the third hitter found the outfield gross driving in two runs and giving the Grizzlies the lead 7-6.

In the top of the fifth inning, the Mustang bats exploded. Juardo drove in two runners with a single up the middle, making the score 8-7. The next batter was Breeana Simmons. Simmons saw a pitch she liked and drove it over the LF fence for a three-run homerun. WNMU led 11-7, but the Mustang offense wasn't done yet. The Munoz sisters both singled and brought up Morales. Morales singled to RF and brought in one off of an error. Sam Gonzalez put the Mustangs up 13-7 with an infield single.

In the sixth inning, Janae Ruiz (Kearny, AZ/ Ray High School) hit a ball in the right center gap and she would touch'em all, hitting an inside-the-park homerun. The Mustangs were up 14-7 going into the seventh inning, where it would be too much for Adams State to overcome.

The Mustangs hitters totaled 13 hits. The Mustangs pitchers gave up 9 from eight different Grizzlies. 

Vega got the no-decision. Her final went 3.0 IP, 7 ER, 6 H, 2 K, and 6 BB. A. Munoz gets her the win, she is now (2-1) on the year. Her final went 4.0 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 3 K, and 1 BB.

Adams State pitchers didn't have their best stuff. Taylor Duncan went 3.0 IP, 5 R (1 ER), 2 K, and 3 BB. Kaitlyn Jackson's line went 1.0 IP, 3 ER, 3 H 1K, and 2 BB. Kelty Key went 0.1 IP, 4 ER, 3 H, 1 K, and 1 BB. Taylor Sandoval pitched the remainder of the game and went 2.2 IP 2 R (1 ER), 5 H,  and 1 K.

Adams State's Notable Players:

Andrea Cline: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 1 R, 4 RBI

Belinda Vargas: 1-for-3, 2B, 1 RBI, 1 BB

Breck Smith: 1-for-2, 1 RBI, 1 BB

 

WNMU Notable Players:

L.  Morales: 4-for-5, 1 R, 2 RBI

C. Jurado: 2-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI

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

B. Munoz: 1-for-4, 3 R, 1 BB

J. Ruiz: 1-for-2, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI

J. Vega: 1-for-1, HR, 1 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB
 

"We are excited to get on the field in front of our Mustang fans. We have a lot of passion and excitement for the game and can't wait to share it!" said Hickman.

The Mustangs will host their first non-conference series in eight years next weekend against Colorado State-Pueblo. Saturday will be a double-header with first pitch starting 12:00pm and the second game around 2:00pm. 

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

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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).