Silver City, N.M. - Sunday afternoon, Western New Mexico University Softball split the series against Midwestern State. MSU took game one 16-5, as WNMU would fight in game two, winning 12-10.

WNMU now has more runs, home runs, and RBI's than last year. The Mustangs are nearing last year's total hits (187) after a big day today with 22 hits. Through the first 17 games this season WNMU has 154 hits and are averaging nine hits a game.

"Our fight in game two is what we have been trying to get back to," said Head Coach Ashley Hickman. "We came out fearless, aggressive, and had fun. When we play that way, we are at our best."

Game One:

Game one was a close game until the top of the 6th inning when MSU put up 10 runs. WNMU would fall 16-5.

Six different Mustangs all had a hit. Breeanna Simmons (Chula Vista, CA/Olympian High School) had the biggest hit, hitting a two-run home run.

In the 1st inning, MSU had four hits including two doubles to give them a 3-0 lead. WNMU would get a run back after a Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) RBI single. 

In the 2nd inning, Cecy Juardo would reach on an error and bring in WNMU's second run. 

Simmons gave the Mustangs the lead in the bottom of the 3rd, hitting a two-run home run. That is Simmons fourth home run of the year.

Midwestern State tied the game at 4-4 in the 4th inning. They continued the momentum in the 5th, bringing two more runs.

MSU's offense blew up with 8 hits, scoring 10 runs. They had six extra base-hits including, four doubles and two home runs in the inning. 

Seven of nine MSU's hitters had a multi-hit game. They had 11 extra-base hits, eight doubles, a triple, and two home runs.

Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) got the start for the Mustangs. She pitched 5.1 IP, 12 H, 11 R (10 ER), 6 K, 3 BB and 1 HPB. Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS) came in after Munoz. Her line went  0.1 IP, 5 H, and 5 ER. Hunt finished the game with the final 0.1 IP.

MSU's starting pitcher, Kennedy Cameron is now (2-0). She pitched a complete game 6.0 IP, 6 H, 5 R (4 ER), 11 K, and 4 BB. 

MSU's notable hitters:

Mikey Dominguez: 2-for-3, HR, 3B, R, 4 RBI, BB

Sabrina Graf: 3-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI

Bailey Brenek: 2-for-4, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI

Mustangs notable hitters: 

B. Simmons: 1-for-2, HR, R, 2 RBI 

L. Morales: 1-for-2, R, RBI, BB

C. Jurado: 1-for-2, 2 R, RBI, 2 BB

Game Two:

WNMU would take game two against Midwestern, 12-10.

"It feels great to break through on the conference win side. We play in such a strong conference, so we will celebrate this win and remember how it felt in order to look forward for next week's games," said Hickman.

The Mustangs tallied 16 hits. Janae Ruiz (Kearny, AZ/ Ray High School) and Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) had a four hit game. Trish Gallardo (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista High School) was right behind with a three hit game.

"We've been working on a few different skill sets for Janae, helping her  be more versatile at the plate," said Hickman. "She really bought into that and was able to produce this weekend and was able to get extra-bases for us at crucial times."

Julia Vega (Tucson, AZ/University HS) got the start. Her final line went 4.1 IP, 7 H, 8 ER, 3 K, and 1 HBP. Hunt came in to pitch and finished the game. She would get her first win of the year. Her final line went 2.2 IP, 4 H, (2 ER), 3 K, and 3 BB.

For MSU, they would start Malea Rodriguez. She would pitch 2.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R (1 ER), 4 K, and 1 BB. Addi Hanna came into pitch after, where she would be served the loss. She went 1.2 IP, 5 H, (7 ER), and 2 HBP. Kathryn Wells finished the game, pitching 1.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, and 2 K.

In the 1st inning, WNMU got on the board first off a wild pitch.

MSU had a big 3rd inning scoring five runs. Dominguez hit her second home run of the day and Hannah Hetherington would hit a three run home run. 

WNMU answered back in the bottom of the 3rd inning scoring three runs. Three errors hurt MSU as WMU would trail 5-4. Laryssa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) tied the game in the bottom of the 4th inning. 

The 5th inning was a huge inning for both teams. MSU scored five more runs and hit three home runs. Midwestern would lead 10-5.

WNMU answered right back, scoring six runs of their own. Small ball and then a clutch hits from Gallardo, B. Munoz, and A. Munoz would give the Mustangs the 11-10 lead.

B. Munoz added an insurance run with an RBI single, giving WNMU a 12-10 lead.

Four MSU hitters had a multi-hit game in game two. They totaled 11 hits, had six extra-base hits, including five home runs.

MSU's notable hitters:

Hanna Hetherington: 2-for-3, 2 HR, 2 R, 5 RBI

Ashley Turner: 3-for-4, HR, 2B, 2 R, RBI

Mikey Dominguez: 2-for-4, HR, R, RBI, SB

Daylan Inkman: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI

Bailey Brenek: 1-for-4, HR, 1 R, 2 RBI

Mustangs Notable Players:

J. Ruiz: 4-for-4, 3 R, 1 HBP, SB

B. Munoz: 4-for-5, 2 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI, SB

T. Gallardo: 3-for-4, R, RBI

A. Munoz: 2-for-4, 2 R, RBI

The Mustangs will head to Texas A&M-Commerce on March 11th, for a double-header starting at 3:00pm and 5:00pm. They will then go to UT Tyler, March 13th, for a double header starting at 10:00am and 12:00pm.

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 &