SILVER CITY, NM – The Mustangs entered the 2024 conference play at the Yard and pulled out the victory in Game 1, 6-2. Mustangs went on to fall to the Rattlers in Game 2, 5-11.

GAME 1:

WNMU allowed St. Mary's to take an early lead in the 1st inning after a soaring homer was hit over left field. The Mustangs quickly earned back the game as they scored twice on error plays in the 2nd inning. They would give the Rattlers a taste of their own medicine as both Kaylee Hickman (Cloudcroft, NM/Cloudcroft High School) and Ramona Fossum (Mescalero, NM/Mescalero Apache HS) powered a homer each. 

With mistakes following this inning, the Mustangs took advantage and had another runner run through home plate. Following inning 4, Fossum sailed yet another homerun clear over center field. The rattlers scored a final run in the 6th inning, but was not enough to catch the mustangs,

Besides both Fossum and Hickman sharing homerun derby battles, WNMU picked up 8 hits total and 5 RBIs.

Climbing the mound first this game was none other than Kamerynn Cordova (Fowler, CA/Fowler HS), who pitched 6 solid innings. She finished with 4 SO, 6.2 IP, and faced 22 AB.

Mustangs Notable Hitters Included:

Ramona Fossum (Mescalero, NM/Mescalero Apache HS), 2-for-2. (2 HRs)

Kaylee Hickman (Cloudcroft, NM/Cloudcroft High School), 1-for-3. (1 HR)

Adlai Alvidrez (El Paso, TX/Americas HS), 2-for-4. 

Rattlers Notable Hitters Included:

J. Holder, 1-for-2.

R. Tennis, 1-for-3.

GAME 2:

For the second time today, the Mustangs allowed the Rattlers to cross the plate first. After a rough start in top of the first inning, the Mustangs fought back and tied it up as they performed some major running display. 

 Unfortunately, WNMU would give up another three runs following that inning, but once again found ways to stay in the game as Ana Armijo (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista HS) collected her first homer in the Yard. After some hitting droughts from both team in the next inning, the Rattlers rattled the the Mustangs in the 6th inning to stretch their lead and hold on to the win.

K. Hickman once again found herself performing at the plate as she connected twice out of her 4 ABs.

Labraida Morales entered the game first as she finished Game 1 under K. Cordova. Though taken out early, she still finished with 4 SOs and forced 9 ABs.

Mustangs Notable Hitters Included:

Ana Armijo (Albuquerque, NM/Volcano Vista HS), 1-for-3. (1 HR)

Kaylee Hickman (Cloudcroft, NM/Cloudcroft High School), 2-for-3.

Hannah, Martinez, 2-for-4.

Kennedy Jarrard (Carlsbad, CA/Carlsbad HS), 1-for-3.

Rattlers Notable Hitters Included:

R. Tennill, 2-for-3.

J. Holder, 2-for-4.

R. Reyes, 2-for-4.

E. Gomez, 2-for-4.

D. Salinas, 2-for-3.

This concludes Day 1 of the Mustangs Home Opener weekend as the Mustangs look to close their first conference series with a dub over St. Marys tomorrow at noon.