LOS LUNAS, N.M. - Friday afternoon was the opening day of the 2023 season, with the Western New Mexico University Softball's team winning 8-7 on a walk-off against Simon Fraser. The Mustangs start the year of 1-0.

Breeana Simmons had a career day for the Mustangs, having a grand slam in the bottom of the 5th inning and putting a ball in play, walking off in the bottom of the 8th inning.

The Mustangs started Freshman, Jazmin Kirby, but her debut would end early when the Red Leafs put on five runs, including a grand slam. Kamyrnn Cordova would take over pitching duties and give up a two run homerun, the only two runs for the rest of the game.

The next half inning, the Mustangs would chip away to the SFU lead. Madeline Bleak (Mesa, AZ/Mountain View HS) got her first collegiate RBI with a sacrifice  fly and Kennedy Jarrard (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS) was welcomed into Mustang arms with her RBI single. After two innings, the Mustangs trailed 7-2. 

After a stalemate for three innings, Simmons stepped to the plate with bases loaded and hit a no doubt homerun over the left field fence. WNMU trailed 7-6 after five innings.

The next inning, Bryana Munoz (Dexter, NM/Dexter High School) had a clutch at-bat, hitting a sacrifice fly, bringing in Samantha Gonzales (Miami, AZ/Miami High School) and tying the game 7-7.

At the end of seven innings, we were all knotted up at 7-7, with Cordova still going strong. In the bottom of the 8th inning, Jarrard started the inning off with a single. Later, B. Munoz would walk, bringing up Simmons. Simmons was done in the count but found a way to put the ball in play, resulting in an error and a Mustangs, 8-7 victory.

✅ Start the season off with Grand Slam
✅ Get walkoff hit
✅ Mustangs get first W of the season

Have a day Bree Simmons! We will see you bright and early tomorrow! pic.twitter.com/Q3NBGfUHwU

— WNMU Softball (@wnmu_sb) February 3, 2023

Kamyrnn Cordova picked up the win going 6.2 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 4 K and 1 BB. 

The Red Leafs started Julia Hansen. She got no the decision. She went 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2  ER, and 2 K. Reese Davies then came in  1.0 IP, 2 H, 4  ER, and 3 BB. Nevada Johnson got the loss, going 2.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 K and 2 BB.

Red Leafs notable hitters:

Megan Duclos: 4-for-5, R, SB

Janique Balcaen: 2-for-5, R,  2B

Abby McGlynn: Grand Slam HR, R, 4 RBI

Mustangs Notable hitters:

B. Simmons: 1-for-5, Grand Slam, R, 4 RBI (Also had walk off)

B. Munoz: 1-for-2, SF 1 RBI, 2 BB

J. Kennedy: 2-for-3, 2 R, 2 RBI, 1 BB

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, TikTok & Instagram).