Game 1:
AUSTIN, Texas — Western New Mexico (8-7, 4-1 LSC) clinched a 4-2 win over St. Edward's (5-9, 3-2 LSC) on Sunday at Diane Daniels Field.
 
The Mustangs made the most of their power plays, driving in all four runs with two home runs, while their pitchers kept St. Edward's to two runs, despite giving up 10 hits.
 
Facing a tough match, St. Edward's took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning with a sacrifice fly by Ryan Rangel. But Western New Mexico answered back in the second, as Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) crossed home on Hannah Martinez's (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) sacrifice fly to knot the score at 1-1.
 
St. Edward's pulled ahead again in the fourth, when Hanna Zachary's single brought in pinch runner Jordyn Comer, making it 2-1.
 
The Mustangs leveled it again in the fifth, thanks to a solo shot from Alyssa Byers, tying the game at 2-2.
 
In the sixth, the Mustangs took control. Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School) smashed a two-run homer to deep center, bringing in pinch runner Jadyn Hooten (Las Cruces, NM/Centennial High School) and putting the Mustangs up 4-2.
 
De Anda pitched a complete game for the Mustangs, going 7 innings—surpassing their season average—with 104 pitches. They surrendered 10 hits and 2 earned runs, struck out 1, and issued no walks. Facing 31 batters, De Anda notched 9 flyouts and 9 groundouts, holding steady even after allowing two doubles.
 
For the Hilltoppers, Darian DeLeon led with three hits in four at-bats. Starting pitcher Maddie Aguilar went five innings, giving up two earned runs with two strikeouts over 85 pitches. Sofia Aponte was a defensive standout with four assists. Alyssa Burdge made an impact with a double, St. Edward's only extra-base hit, driving in a run.
 
Game Two:
AUSTIN, Texas — Western NEw Mexico Softball(8-8, 4-2 LSC) faced a tough battle against St. Edwards (6-9, 4-2 LSC) at Diane Daniels Field on Sunday, falling 5-2.
 
The Mustangs managed a solo home run, but it wasn't enough to close the gap against St. Edwards' early lead.
 
SEU set the tone early, with Sloane Hill's double to right field in the first inning bringing home Arianna Vidales and Darian DeLeon, putting the Hilltoppers ahead 2-0.
 
St. Edwards extended their lead in the third with a solo homer by Dafne Mercado, making it 3-0.
 
In the fifth, the Mustangs got on the board when Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) singled and later scored on a fielding error, cutting the lead to 3-1. However, the Hilltoppers quickly answered with another run, ending the inning at 4-1.
 
The Mustangs closed the gap to 4-2 in the sixth, thanks to Marleigh Manns' (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School) solo shot to deep left. Yet, St. Edwards added one more on a sacrifice bunt, finalizing the score at 5-2.
 
On the mound, Labraida Tenorio (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho High School) started for the Mustangs, allowing four hits and three earned runs over 3 innings. She issued two walks and struck out one, conceding a home run and a double. Alyssa Torres (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet High School) took over in relief, pitching 3 innings, giving up three hits and two earned runs, with no walks or strikeouts. She showcased control, throwing 29 strikes out of 46 pitches and inducing six groundouts.
 
Manns contributed with a home run, tallying a hit and an RBI in three plate appearances. Martinez had a strong showing with two hits in three at-bats, scoring once and swiping a base. Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) was solid defensively with three assists, despite not recording a hit.
 
For St. Edwards, Vidales shone bright, going 2-for-3, scoring twice, and stealing two bases. Hill was clutch with a 2-for-3 performance, driving in two with her double. Mercado's homer and two RBIs bolstered their offense. Kylen Padgett delivered a complete game on the mound, striking out seven while allowing just one earned run over seven innings.
 
The Mustangs, now 8-8 overall and 4-2 in conference play, are set to take on Sul Ross State on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 11 a.m. MT in Alpine, Texas.
 

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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).