PORTALES, N.M. - Tuesday afternoon, at Greyhound Softball Stadium, the Western New Mexico University Mustangs split day versus in-state rival Eastern New Mexico. In game one ENMU won 8-0 and game two the Mustangs won 8-7 in the 8th inning.

"They had so much resilience during the back and forth match," said Head Coach Ashley Hickman. "It was great to see them keep a neutral mind in order to get out of tough situations."

GAME ONE:
The Mustangs had two runners all game. Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school) had a base hit and to lead off the game, Adlai Alvidrez (El Paso, TX/Americas HS) walked.

Kammeryn Cordova started in the circle for the Mustangs. Cordova now falls to (2-5) on the year. Her line went 2.1 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 4 K, and 1 HBP. Jasmin Kirby (Surprise, AZ/State Farm Stadium HS) finished out the game, pitching 2.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 1 K, and 1 BB. The Greyhounds started Brook Leger. She was (8-0) on the year. She went 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 7 K, and 1 BB.

In the bottom of the 3rd inning, ENMU took an early 5-0 lead after three straight hits. The Greyhounds had an RBI single up the middle, a two RBI double, and an RBI single up the middle. Later in the inning, ENMU singled in another run.

The Greyhounds extended their lead in the 4th inning with a shallow fly ball dropping in, bringing in a run. ENMU led 6-0.

ENMU went on to win the game on a mercy rule, after hitting a two RBI triple, making the lead 8-0.

The Greyhounds notable hitters:

M. Patterson: 3-for-3, 2 R, 3B, 2 RBI

A. Vasquez: 2-for-3, 1 R, 2B 3 RBI

A. Nickerson: 2-for-2, 2B, BB

Mustangs Notable hitters:

C. Jurado: 1-for-1

A. Alvidrez: 0-for-1, BB
 

GAME TWO:

"The game one to game two bounce back was so nice to see," said Hickman. We asked everyone to light a fire and run with it. Each person contributed with everything they had and we made the adjustments needed across the board."

Cassidy Paulson (Arvada, CO/Golden Colorado HS) got the nod going 2.1 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 2 K and 2 BB. Aryana Munoz (Dexter, New Mexico/Dexter High School) came into relief pitching 2.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K, and 2 BB. Jasmin Kirby (Surprise, AZ/State Farm Stadium HS) came in and pitched 1.2 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, and 2 BB. Paulson came back into the game earning the win (1-3). In her second outing of the game she went 1.1 IP and 2 BB.

"Before Cassidy came back in, I asked if she was five pitches away from throwing... She said, 'there's two outs coach, I got you.'" explained Hickman. "She did just that! She stayed in the moment, believed in herself and her teammates, and got the job done. I'm proud of all of them for believing."

The Mustangs got on the board first in the top of the 2nd inning with Cecy Jurado (El Monte, California/South El Monte High school) hitting a solo homerun. WNMU led 1-0.
 

On the flip side of the inning, ENMU hit a two RBI double, taking a 2-1 lead.

In the top of the 4th inning, Kennedy Jarrard (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS) tied the game with an RBI single to right field.

ENMU retook the lead in the bottom of the 4th inning with an RBI single up the middle. WNMU trailed 3-2.

The Mustangs put some damage up in the top of the 5th inning, scoring three runs. Samantha Gonzales (Miami, AZ/Miami High School) hit a home run to left field to start the inning off. Later, Ciara Salazar (Tularosa, NM/Tularosa HS) reached on an error, bringing in a run. Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) then hit a sacrifice fly. WNMU led 5-3.
 

In the bottom of the 6th inning, ENMU tied the game with a sacrifice fly and an RBI groundout. 

Tied at 5-5, B. Munoz stepped to the plate with a runner on and blasted a two-run home run, giving the Mustangs a 7-5 lead.
 

Down to their last couple outs, ENMU hit a two-run home run to tie the game. C. Jurado had a fantastic catch, robbing a home run to push the game to extra innings.

The Mustangs made the most of the extra opportunity retaking the lead. Silver City native, Lisa Lucero (Silver City, NM/Silver HS) battled in her at-bat and it paid dividends, putting a ball in play and bringing in the game winning run.

ENMU's starting pitcher was Delia Smith. She went 4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, and 2 K. Emma Southerland came in relief pitching, 0.0+ IP, 3 H, and 2 R (1 ER). Brook Leger finished the game out and took the loss (8-1). Her line went 4.0 IP, 4 R (2 ER), 5 K ,and 2 BB.
 

The Greyhounds notable hitters:

V. Contreras: 3-for-3, 2 R, 2B, 3 RBI

K. Cifuentes: 1-for-2, 1 R, HR 2 RBI

M. Patterson: 2-for-4, 2 R, 3B

Mustangs notable hitters: 

B. Munoz: 1-for-3, 1 R, HR, SF, 3 RBI

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

S. Gonzales: 1-for-3, 2 R, HR, 1 RBI, BB

K. Jarrard: 2-for-4, 1 RBI

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, TikTok & Instagram)