Game 1:

SILVER CITY, N.M. — The WNMU Mustangs (5-6, 1-0) charged to an impressive 11-2 win over UT Dallas (4-3, 2-1) at The Yard on Sunday, fueled by a powerful display of four home runs, including a five-run explosion in the third inning.

Kicking things off, Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) set the tone with a solo homer in the first inning, putting Western NM on the board early. The Mustangs kept the momentum going in the second inning, adding three runs thanks to Lauryn Carbajal's (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) RBI triple and Addisen Byers' (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) two-run blast. By the end of the second, the Mustangs led 4-2 over the Comets.

The third inning was a showcase of offensive prowess for Western New Mexico. Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) came through with a crucial RBI double, followed by Carbajal's two-RBI double. Byers wrapped up the inning with another two-run homer, pushing the lead to 9-2.

In the fourth inning, the Mustangs tacked on two more runs as Peters knocked in a two-run homer. The defense and pitching staff shut down UT Dallas from there, sealing the game at 11-2.

The Mustangs' victory was a team effort, with standout performances across the board. Peters made her presence felt with two hits, a home run, and a double, driving in three runs. Byers was unstoppable, hitting two home runs and notching four RBIs in her two at-bats. Carbajal was on fire, contributing a double and a triple, earning three RBIs and scoring twice. Markus added a solo home run and another run to the tally.

Looking ahead, the Mustangs are set to face UT Dallas again on Sunday, Feb. 15 at 2:30 p.m. at The Yard in Silver City, New Mexico.

Game 2:

SILVER CITY, N.M. — The WNMU Mustangs (6-6) pulled off a thrilling 3-2 victory over UT Dallas (4-4) at The Yard on Sunday afternoon, thanks to a clutch two-run rally in the seventh inning that erased UT Dallas's sixth-inning lead.

The Mustangs kicked things off on a high note with an early score in the first inning. Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) got on base with a walk and was driven home by a single from Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School), putting Western NM up 1-0.

Both teams battled through scoreless middle innings until the sixth, when the Comets briefly turned the tables. Chloe Grimmer's two-RBI single put UT Dallas ahead. The scoreboard read Western NM 1, UT Dallas 2 heading into the seventh.

In an electrifying finish, the Mustangs roared back. Isabelle Soto (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic High School), pinch running, tied the game on Antonya Lucero's (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) single. Moments later, Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) took one for the team with a hit by pitch, allowing Aleeya Barwick (Mesa, AZ/Desert Ridge High School) to cross home for the walk-off win. Western NM 3, UT Dallas 2.

Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) was a standout at the plate, going two-for-four. Spencer added a hit and scored a run, also picking up a walk during her four plate appearances. Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) shone defensively with four assists from second base, while Manns contributed with an RBI, a hit, and a walk to boost the offense.

Up next, the Mustangs hit the road to face St. Mary's on Friday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. in San Antonio, Texas, aiming to keep their momentum rolling.
 

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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 (X, TikTok & Instagram).