Game 1:
TYLER, TX. — The Western New Mexico Mustangs (12-11, 8-5) battled hard but ultimately fell 7–4 to the University of Texas at Tyler (18-7, 10-3) in Friday's conference showdown. Western New Mexico launched two home runs, yet a seven-run fourth inning from Texas-Tyler sealed the deal.

In a game that heated up during the middle innings, the Mustangs got rolling in the fourth. Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) kicked things off with a single, paving the way for a two-run homer from Addisen Byers (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School). Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) followed with a double, and Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) reached on an error, allowing Spencer to cross home plate, closing the fourth inning with a score of 3–7.

Western NM didn't let up, adding another run in the sixth when Morales smashed a solo home run, tightening the gap to 4–7.

Despite their efforts, the Mustangs couldn't muster any more runs in the seventh, wrapping up the game with a final score of 4-7 in favor of Texas-Tyler.

Morales shone brightly, recording a home run and an RBI, while Byers made her mark with a home run and two RBIs. Martinez was on fire with two hits, a run, and a stolen base.

Western New Mexico now stands at 12-11 overall and 8-5 in conference play, while Texas-Tyler sits at 18-7 and 10-3 in their conference.

Game 2:
TYLER, TX. — Western New Mexico (12-12, 8-6) faced off against the University of Texas at Tyler (19-7, 11-3) on Friday evening, concluding with an 8-0 defeat.

The Mustangs managed to notch four hits but couldn't convert them into runs. Meanwhile, the Patriots secured 11 hits, including a triple and two doubles.

Texas-Tyler grabbed an early lead in the first inning when Kaylee Cavazos scored on a single by Laci Berecochea, setting the score at 1-0. Western New Mexico couldn't answer back in their half of the inning, leaving the Patriots ahead 1-0.

In the third, Texas-Tyler widened the gap. Kaelyn Lerma's RBI triple brought Taryn Barney home, and Trinity Hale's single allowed Lerma to score. These runs, both unearned, pushed the Patriots to a 3-0 lead by the end of the third inning.

The Patriots added five more in the fourth. Megan Lau scored on Dezirae Lopez's single, Cavazos came home on an error, and Lerma's single drove in two more. Barney scored on another error, stretching the lead to 8-0. Texas-Tyler held an 8-0 advantage after the fourth.

Western New Mexico couldn't muster a comeback in the fifth, and the game wrapped up with an 8-0 victory for Texas-Tyler.

Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School) contributed a double in her two at-bats. Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) added a hit and reached on a fielder's choice in her two appearances. Brenna Figueroa (Sahuarita, AZ/Sahuarita High School) recorded a hit in her single at-bat as a substitute. Defensively, Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) was solid with three assists and three putouts.

The Mustangs now stand at 12-12 overall and 8-6 in conference play. The Patriots are 19-7 and 11-3 in the conference.

Next up, Western New Mexico will take on Texas Woman's in Denton, Texas, on Sunday, March 15, at 11 a.m. as they continue their road trip.
 

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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).