Game 1:
SAN ANTONIO, TX. — The WNMU Mustangs (7-6, 3-0 LSC) battled their way to a thrilling 7-6 victory over St. Mary's University (9-7, 1-2 LSC) at The Park at St Mary's on Friday. A pivotal three-run rally in the seventh inning sealed the deal for the Mustangs in this nail-biter.

Alixe De Anda (San Tan Valley, AZ/Red Mountain High School) started, pitching 2 innings and allowing 4 earned runs on 3 hits, with 5 walks and no strikeouts. De Anda struggled with control, recording 3 wild pitches and throwing 59 pitches, only 25 of which were strikes. Alyssa Torres (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet High School) came in to steady the ship, providing 5 innings of relief, allowing 2 earned runs on 2 hits. She recorded 10 groundouts and 1 strikeout, giving up 4 walks, with 49 strikes out of 89 pitches.

Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) impressed with two hits and an RBI. Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) was key at the plate with two RBIs and a run scored. Meanwhile, Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) showcased her knack for getting on base, scoring twice and notching two hits. 

Western New Mexico shone in the third inning. After singles from Martinez and Addisen Byers (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School), Markus delivered a clutch two-RBI single to slice the deficit to 4-2. The fifth inning saw the Mustangs claw back to level terms. Singles from Byers and Spencer, coupled with a throwing error, allowed both to cross home plate, tying the game at 4-4. In the seventh, Martinez singled and scored on Spencer's RBI single. Isabelle Soto (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic High School), pinch-running for Spencer, along with Markus, both crossed the plate on Jenna Peters' (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) sacrifice fly, giving Western New Mexico a 7-6 lead. With the defense holding steady in the bottom of the seventh, the Mustangs clinched the victory.

WNMU now holds a 7-6 record and remains undefeated in LSC play at 3-0. St. Mary's stands at 9-7, with a 1-2 record in the LSC.

Game 2:
SAN ANTONIO, TX. — The Western New Mexico Mustangs (7-7, 3-1 LSC) faced a tough challenge against St. Mary's (10-7, 2-2 LSC) with a 7-4 loss on Friday evening at The Park at StMU. Despite an early lead, the Mustangs couldn't hold off the Rattlers, who strung together two runs in three consecutive innings to clinch the win.

Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) spearheaded the offense with two hits and a run scored. Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) made her mark with a double, driving in two runs. Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) chipped in with two hits and a run scored. Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) contributed with a hit, an RBI, and an assist in the field.

Labraida Tenorio (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho High School) took the mound for 3 1/3 innings, surrendering five hits and five earned runs, with five walks and no strikeouts. Facing 20 batters, Tenorio delivered 77 pitches, 40 of which were strikes, and recorded six flyouts and four groundouts. Sophia Solano (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro High School) pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing four hits and two runs (one earned) without issuing a walk or fanning a batter. Guilianna Wilson (Peoria, AZ/Mountain Ridge High School) provided 1 1/3 innings of relief without a run, giving up just one hit and securing three groundouts. The Mustangs will hit the road to take on St. Edward's in Austin, Texas, this Sunday, Feb. 22, with the game set to start at 11 a.m MT.

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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).