Game 1:
RICHARDSON, Texas — The Western New Mexico Mustangs (15-16, 11-10 LSC) snagged a 5-2 win against UT Dallas (7-16, 5-12 LSC) on Friday afternoon at the UTD Softball Field. Alixe DeAnda was stellar on the mound, pitching a complete game and scattering just four hits while fanning five.
In the second inning,
Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) got things rolling with a single, setting the stage for
Addisen Byers (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) who launched a two-run shot over the right-field fence, making it 2-0. The Comets tried to answer back with a run from Rachel Wallace's hit, narrowing the gap to 2-1.
The Mustangs widened their lead in the fifth.
Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) singled, with pinch-runner
Jadyn Hooten (Las Cruces, NM/Centennial High School) hustling home on a clutch single by
Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School). Martinez then stepped up with a two-RBI double, pushing the score to 5-1. UT Dallas managed a solo homer by Julia Maniscalco, wrapping the inning at 5-2.
Western New Mexico kept UT Dallas in check for the rest of the game, sealing the victory with a final score of 5-2.
DeAnda's complete game featured five strikeouts over 7 innings, allowing just two earned runs. Byers was a force at the plate, belting a home run and driving in two runs across her three trips to the plate. Martinez was on fire, going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a double. Peters chipped in with a hit and an RBI, driving in a crucial run with two outs.
Game 2:
RICHARDSON, Texas — The WNMU Mustangs faced a tough evening, falling to UT Dallas 4-1 at UTD Softball Field on Friday. Despite a solid effort, Western NM (15-17, 11-11 LSC) managed just three hits, including a solo home run, and couldn't overcome UT Dallas (8-16, 6-12 LSC), which notched seven hits and three doubles to secure the win.
The Mustangs got off to a promising start, with
Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) launching a solo home run to deep left field, giving Western NM an early edge. The first inning wrapped up with a 1-1 tie.
In the third inning, UT Dallas took control when Julia Maniscalco hit a two-run homer to deep center, pushing the home team ahead, 3-1.
UT Dallas widened the gap in the sixth inning, as Rachel Wallace scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-1.
Despite their efforts, the Mustangs couldn't rally in the final innings, leading to the final score of UT Dallas 4, Western NM 1.
Markus shone with her home run, scoring once.
Labraida Tenorio (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho High School) pitched 5 1/3 innings, striking out seven while allowing four earned runs.
Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) and
Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) each contributed a hit in their three at-bats.
Next up, the Mustangs will host Texas A&M - Kingsville on Wednesday, April 1 at The Yard in Silver City, New Mexico, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 p.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).
