Silver City, N.M. - Friday, Western New Mexico University Softball opened up Lone Star Conference play against Texas Woman's University. TWU would take the double -header, winning game one 6-3 and game two 14-5.

The Mustangs totaled 17 hits on the day. Vanessa Hunt (Phoenix, AZ/Mountain Pointe High School) got her first pitching appearances of the year and totaled six strikeouts.

Game One:

Janae Ruiz (Kearny, AZ/ Ray High School) and Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) had a mulit-hit game. Ruiz went 3-for-3 and Morales went 2-for-3 with two RBI's. Hunt came in relief and had a strong showing, pitching 3.o innings, no runs given up and five striekouts.

Both teams would score in the 1st inning. TWU started the game out with three runs including a two-run home run. WNMU's Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) helped get a run back with her RBI double. 

In the third inning the Pioneers hit a solo home run, putting them up 4-1. In the bottom of the 3rd, Breeanna Simmons (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian High School) hit a sacrifice fly to cut TWU's lead to 4-2.

The Pioneers extended their lead in the fourth inning to 6-3 off of two hits. The Mustangs starting pitcher did damage control and left three Pioneer runners on base.

In the 5th inning, Morales singled in another Mustang runner, making the score 6-3 in favor of TWU.

TWU had 9 hits, five extra-base hits, including three doubles and two home runs. Three Pioneer hitters had a multi-hit game.

Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) got the start for the Mustangs. She pitched 4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R (5 ER), 4 K and 2 HPB. Hunt came in relief pitching 3.0 IP, 0 R, 5 K, and 1 BB.

TWU's starting pitcher, Julianne Malis is now (3-4). She pitched a complete game 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R (2 ER), 2 K, and 3 BB. 

TWU's notable hitters:

Jalee McDonald: 3-for-4, R, 3 RBI

Da'jia Davis: 2-for-4, HR, 2B, R, RBI

Missy Wise: 2-for-3, HR, 2B, R, 2 RBI, BB

Mustangs notable hitters: 

L. Morales: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI

J. Ruiz: 3-for-3

B. Simmons: 1-for-3, RBI 

Game Two:

The Pioneers would take game two against the Mustangs, 14-5.

The Mustangs tallied 11 hits, four of which came from Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school). Jurado, Ruiz, and  Trish Gallardo (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista High School) all had a multi-hit game as well.

Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS) got the start. Her final line went 3.0 IP, 5 H, 7 R (5 ER), 1 K, and 1 BB. Hunt came in to pitch the final four innings going 4.0 IP, 7 H, 7 R (2 ER), 1 K, and 2 BB.

For TWU, they would start Kelsie Briggs. She would pitch 4.0 IP, 8 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 K, and 1 BB. Jalee McDonald finished out the game going 3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R (1 ER), 3 K, 1 BB, and 1 HBP. Briggs got the win and is now (3-1) on the year.

In the 1st inning, TWU's Missy Wise hit a sac fly giving the Pioneers the 1-0 lead. In the 2nd inning, Kelsie Briggs extended the lead to 2-0 with a solo home run.

The Mustangs got on the board in the 2nd inning off a Trish Gallardo (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista High School) knock to center field. WNMU trailed 2-1. 

TWU had a big 3rd inning, scoring five runs off of four hits. Three of those hits were extra-base hits. The Pioneers led 7-1 going into the bottom of the third inning. 

The Mustangs got two runs back off of two hits. Morales had a bases loaded walk. Simmons put the ball in play and a runner would score. At the end of the 3rd inning, TWU led 7-3.

TWU built upon their momentum from an inning before having three more runs on four hits, including a solo home run.

WNMU scored two more runs in the 6th inning. Samantha Gonzales (Miami, AZ/Miami High School) singled in a run and Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) put the ball in play with two outs, putting pressure on the Pioneers defense to make a play. It would favor the Mustangs as there was an error, bringing in another run. WNMu tailed 11-5 after the 6th inning.

In the top of the 7th inning, TWU tallied in three more runs giving TWU a 14-5 lead.

Four Pioneer hitters had a multi-hit game in game two. They totaled 12 hits and had six extra-base hits.

TWU's notable hitters:

Da'jia Davis: 3-for-5, 2B, 3R, 2 RBI

Kelsie Briggs: 2-for-2, HR, 2B, 2 R, 2 RBI

Nya Brown: 2-for-5, 2 R 2 RBI

Cecily Rodriguez: 2-for-4, 1 R, 3 RBI

Leah Deaver: 1-for-4, HR, 2 R, 2 RBI

Mustangs Notable Players:

C. Jurado: 4-for-4, 1 R, SB

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

T. Gallardo: 2-for-4, 1 RBI

The Mustangs will play at Mustang Field, March 6th against 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!  

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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).