Game 1:
SILVER CITY, N.M. — The WNMU Mustangs (11-10, 7-4) showcased their offensive prowess with a commanding 12-2 win over Eastern New Mexico (9-9, 5-6) on Sunday at The Yard.
The Mustangs' explosive performance was anchored by a six-run second inning and a five-run sixth, clinching the victory in just six innings.
The action kicked off in the second inning when the Mustangs surged ahead with six runs.
Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) drew a walk, bringing
Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) across the plate.
Maria Ruelaz (Silver City, NM/Silver High School) followed suit, walking in
Addisen Byers (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School).
Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) then delivered a clutch single, driving in two more.
Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School) capped off the inning with a two-RBI single, pushing the Mustangs to a 6-0 lead.
In the third,
Antonya Lucero (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) doubled and later scored on a sac fly by
Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School), stretching the Mustangs' advantage to 7-0.
The Greyhounds managed a run in the fourth, but the Mustangs stayed firmly in control at 7-1.
The sixth inning saw the Mustangs pile on five more runs. Ruelaz knocked in two with a single, and Manns powered a three-run homer to left center, sealing the deal. The scoreboard read 12-2 by the end of the sixth.
Alixe De Anda (San Tan Valley, AZ/Red Mountain High School) was stellar on the mound, going the distance with six innings pitched, three strikeouts, and two earned runs. Manns was the standout hitter, driving in five runs, including that key homer, and scoring once. Ruelaz made her mark with three RBIs and a hit in four trips to the plate, while Peters added two hits and two RBIs, both coming with two outs.
De Anda's complete game effort saw her allow six hits and two earned runs, striking out three and walking two. She threw 93 pitches, 60 of them strikes, and despite giving up a homer and a triple, she managed eight groundouts and six flyouts to keep the game in hand.
WNMU Mustangs now stand at 11-10 overall, with a 7-4 mark in conference play. Eastern New Mexico sits at 9-9 overall and 5-6 in conference action.
Game 2:Â
SILVER CITY, N.M. — The WNMU Mustangs (12-10, 8-4) powered past Eastern New Mexico (9-10, 5-7) with a commanding 10-2 victory on Sunday afternoon.
The Mustangs' bats were on fire, highlighted by three home runs, which contributed to their total of 10 hits and 10 runs.
Western New Mexico took control in the second inning with a six-run explosion.
Antonya Lucero (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) set things in motion with a single to third, followed by a double from
Lauryn Carbajal (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside High School) that brought Lucero home.
Hannah Martinez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad High School) then launched a two-run homer to center, scoring Carbajal.
Maria Ruelaz (Silver City, NM/Silver High School) kept the momentum going with a double to center, driving in two more, while
Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School) capitalized on a throwing error to push another run across. By the end of the inning, the Mustangs were up 6-0.
In the fifth, the Mustangs piled it on with
Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) smashing a two-run homer to left center.
Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) joined the home run party with a solo shot, and
Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School) added a single that drove in another run, sealing a four-run inning and pushing the score to 10-2.
Eastern New Mexico managed a run in both the third and fifth innings but couldn't match the Mustangs' prowess.
Martinez was a standout with two RBIs and her home run, while Spencer made her presence felt with two runs and two RBIs from her own homer. Morales added to her stats with a homer, one RBI, and a run scored. Ruelaz drove in two and scored twice, demonstrating her all-around impact.
Labraida Tenorio (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho High School) delivered a solid outing for the Mustangs, pitching 4 1/3 innings with six strikeouts and allowing five hits. Tenorio conceded two earned runs, including a homer, and issued three walks across 21 batters faced.
Alyssa Torres (Tucson, AZ/Tucson Magnet High School) provided relief, pitching 2/3 of an inning, allowing one hit and one walk without giving up any runs. Though listed,
Sophia Solano (Tucson, AZ/Sahuaro High School) did not pitch in the fifth inning.
Up next, Western NM will take on UT Tyler on Friday, March 13 at 2 p.m. in Tyler, 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).