Game One:
SILVER CITY, N.M. — Western New Mexico University (21-24) fell to St. Mary's University (28-20) in a closely contested matchup, with the final score standing at 7–6. The Mustangs recorded 10 hits, including a home run, but were unable to overcome the Rattlers' late surge.
Western New Mexico opened the game against St. Mary's with a strong first inning.
Ciara Spencer (Gallup, NM/Gallup High School) singled and later scored on a groundout by
Jenna Peters (Lake Elsinore, CA/Temescal Canyon High School), followed by
Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) who crossed the plate on a double from
Marleigh Manns (Los Lunas, NM/Los Lunas High School). The inning concluded with a tied score of 2–2.
In the second inning, the Mustangs took the lead.
Maria Ruelaz (Silver City, NM/Silver High School) singled and was brought home by Spencer's RBI single. Markus then hit a two-run homer, further extending the lead. By the end of the inning, Western New Mexico led 5–2.
The fourth inning saw both teams add to their scores. St. Mary's scored three runs to narrow the gap, but Spencer's RBI single for Western New Mexico kept it ahead, with the score at 6–5.
A pivotal moment occurred in the sixth inning when St. Mary's regained the lead with a two-RBI single, making the score 7–6 in their favor. The Mustangs were unable to add to their total in the final innings, resulting in a final score of 7–6 in favor of St. Mary's.
Spencer led the offensive charge for the Mustangs, recording four hits and driving in two runs while crossing the plate twice herself. Markus contributed significantly to the team's scoring with a home run, two hits, two runs scored, and two RBI.
Alixe De Anda (San Tan Valley, AZ/Red Mountain High School) pitched a complete game, despite allowing nine hits and six earned runs over 7 innings.
Western New Mexico has a record of 21-24 and 17-18 in the conference. St. Mary's has a record of 28-20 and 20-15 in the conference.
Game Two:
SILVER CITY, N.M. — Western New Mexico (22-24) secured a 5–3 victory over St. Mary's University (28-21) at The Yard on Sunday. The home team capitalized on a four-run fifth inning, bolstered by two home runs, to clinch the win.
Western New Mexico secured a win against St. Mary's with a final score of 5–3. In the first inning,
Lanessa Morales (Vail, AZ/Cienega High School) gave Western an early lead with a solo home run to right center. The score was 1–0 after the first inning.
In the second inning, the visitors responded with a home run by Izabella Valdez, tying the game at 1–1. The score remained 1–1 through the second inning.
The fifth inning was pivotal for Western New Mexico. After St. Mary's took a 2–1 lead with Raegan Tennill's sacrifice fly,
Abbi Markus (Sun City, AZ/Willow Canyon High School) turned the game around with a grand slam, driving in four runs. This power play brought the score to 5–2 in favor of Western NM by the end of the fifth inning.
The opposition managed to score an unearned run in the sixth inning, narrowing the gap to 5–3. However, Western NM's defense held strong in the final inning, preventing any further scoring.
The final score was Western New Mexico 5, St. Mary's 3.
Labraida Tenorio (Rio Rancho, NM/Rio Rancho High School) pitched a complete game for the Mustangs, going 7 innings against St. Mary's. Tenorio allowed 7 hits and 3 runs, with only 2 of those runs earned. She struck out 4 batters and walked 3, throwing a total of 102 pitches with 67 of them being strikes. Tenorio's performance improved her season record to 8-9.
Tenorio pitched a complete game, recording four strikeouts over seven innings. Markus drove in four runs and hit a home run, contributing significantly to the scoring. Morales also added a home run and tallied two hits.
Antonya Lucero (Albuquerque, NM/La Cueva High School) finished with two hits, including a double, and scored once.
In their next game, Western New Mexico will face Lubbock Christian on Friday, May 1, at noon in Lubbock, Texas. The matchup presents another opportunity for Western NM as it travels for this away contest.
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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).