Game 1:
SILVER CITY, N.M. — Western NM (10-9, 6-3) battled it out with West Tex. A&M (18-3, 8-1) on Friday afternoon at The Yard, ultimately falling short with a 12-5 final score. Despite home runs from Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) and Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School), the Buffs' seven homers sealed their victory.

In this pivotal matchup, the Mustangs faced a tough challenge against West Tex. A&M, ending in a 12-5 loss.

West Tex. A&M jumped ahead early in the second inning with a two-run homer from Brooke Janning and an RBI single by Bella Holland, putting them up 3-0. The Buffs extended their advantage in the third with a solo shot from Jordyn DeLosSantos, pushing the score to 4-0.

The fourth inning saw West Tex. A&M piling on six more runs, with big contributions from Emily Liskai, Avery Cannon, and Trinity Kuntz, all hitting home runs. Western NM responded when Antonya Lucero (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) reached on an error, bringing home Jadyn Hooten (Las Cruces, NM/Centennial High School) and trimming the lead to 10-1.

The Mustangs showed their fighting spirit in the fifth inning, rallying for four runs. Maria Ruelaz (Silver City, NM/Silver High School) singled, followed by a two-run blast from Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School). Manns then added her own two-run homer, tightening the game to 10-5.

Both teams were scoreless in the sixth. West Tex. A&M put the game away in the seventh with a two-run homer by Cannon, wrapping it up at 12-5.

Spencer led the offensive effort with two hits, including a homer and two RBIs. Manns delivered power to the lineup with her homer and two RBIs. Ruelaz made her presence felt off the bench, coming in as a pinch hitter and notching a hit in her lone at-bat. Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) was steady at the plate, collecting one hit in three trips.

The Mustangs hold a 10-9 overall record and are 6-3 in conference play. The Buffs stand at 18-3 overall, with an 8-1 conference record.

Game 2:
SILVER CITY, N.M. — The WNMU Mustangs battled hard but ultimately fell to West Tex. A&M with a final score of 29-7 on Friday at The Yard. The Mustangs' offensive spark came in the second inning with a four-run surge, but the Buffs' steady scoring over five innings proved too much to overcome.

WNMU started with a bang in the first inning, as Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) launched a two-run homer to right center, bringing home Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) after she was hit by a pitch. Despite this strong start, the Buffs quickly took control, posting six runs. Score: West Tex. A&M 6, WNMU 2.

In a spirited second inning, Addisen Byers (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) smashed a three-run homer to deep center, bringing Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) and Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) home. Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School) chipped in with a single to center, allowing Brenna Figueroa (Sahuarita, AZ/Sahuarita High School) to cross the plate. However, the Buffs matched that effort with three more runs to keep their lead. Score: West Tex. A&M 9, WNMU 6.

The Mustangs kept pushing in the fourth as Carbajal singled to center, driving in Isabelle Soto (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic High School). Yet, the Buffs continued to pull away with an additional six runs. Score: West Tex. A&M 24, WNMU 7.

The action wrapped up in the fifth inning, with the Buffs tacking on five more runs while the Mustangs were held scoreless. Final score: West Tex. A&M 29, WNMU 7.

Byers stood out with a home run and three RBIs. Morales also shone with three hits and two RBIs, including a homer. Carbajal contributed two hits and an RBI, while Figueroa reached base with a hit and a walk, scoring once.

Up next, the Mustangs face Eastern New Mexico on Sunday, March 8, at The Yard in Silver City, New Mexico, with a game start set for noon.

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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).