Box Score LAKE ELSINORE, Calif. — The WNMU Mustangs (3-5) faced off against California State University, East Bay (8-1) on Saturday evening at Rosetta Canyon, ending in a tough 7-5 loss. Despite a spirited three-run rally in the seventh inning, the Mustangs couldn't quite close the gap.

Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) kicked off the scoring for Western NM with a solo homer in the first inning, giving the Mustangs an early lead. Cal State East Bay answered back in the second with a two-run single by Farias, taking a 2–1 edge. Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) evened things up in the fourth with a solo shot of her own, but the Pioneers kept the pressure on, holding a 3–2 advantage after four innings.

The fifth inning saw things tilt further in East Bay's favor. A couple of fielding errors allowed them to tack on two unearned runs, stretching their lead to 5–2. Yet, the Mustangs showed resilience in the seventh inning. Antonya Lucero (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) set the stage with a double, followed by Hannah Martinez's (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) RBI single. Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) then came through with a clutch two-RBI single, bringing the Mustangs within striking distance at 7–5. Ultimately, East Bay held firm, sealing their 7–5 win.

Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) led the charge with a home run, two hits, and an RBI. Ciara Spencer's (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) timely single brought in two crucial runs, while Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) matched Markus with her own homer, adding to the Mustangs' tally. Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) made her presence felt defensively, recording four assists to keep the Mustangs competitive.

The Mustangs will face off against Vanguard University tomorrow, February 8th at 10:00am MT, in Lake Elsinore, CA to continue the West Coast Challenge. 
 

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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).