Silver City, N.M.- The Western New Mexico University softball team were able to come away with a split in last Sunday’s matchup against Fort Lewis College (13-28, 10-18 RMAC). Even though the Skyhawks snagged game one, 12-6, the Mustangs (21-26, 17-15 RMAC) stepped up in the second game to take the second game, 11-9.
In the first game, FLC’s offense came out hot right from the start as they scored all twelve runs in the first and second inning.
WNMU jumped on the scoreboard scoring one run in the top of the second when Alicia Enriquez drilled a single to left, scoring Yasmeen Gastelum who was standing on third base.
In the top of third inning, Thailyza Ramirez singled to left which brought home Gastelum, Mariangela Garcia, and Linzy Granger to put the Mustangs within eight, 12-4.
The Lady Mustangs kept climbing their way out of the deficit as Brooklyn Misenhimer found herself a double in the fifth to score Ramirez who was standing on first to bring in one run. Enriquez kept the sticks moving when she also drilled a double to bring Misenhimer in for another run. However this would be the last run scored from both teams as FLC brought in the win, 12-6.
Skyhawks were able to outhit the Mustangs 15-9, while both teams came out even in errors 3-3.
Ramirez led the way in hitting for the WNMU with three hits and three RBIs, followed by Enriquez with two hits and two RBIs.
MaryJo Granger (L, 1-11) came away with the loss, throwing 1.2 innings while allowing seven earned runs and nine hits. Tiana Salazar came into relive for 4.1 innings, giving up only one run and six hits while FLC’s pitcher Johnson (W, 9-9) pitched all seven innings, allowing nine hits and five earned runs.
The second game turned out to be all offense from both sides as both teams came away with 29 runs and 20 runs each.
The Mustangs looked sharped offensively in the second inning as they brought in seven runs to start things off. A Carolyn Castillo single in the gap to left brought in Gastelum who was standing on third to bring in the first run. Enriquez kept the runs coming when she drilled a single to left to drive in Samantha Munoz two bring in the second run.
Momentum kept rolling as Castillo was able to touch home thanks to Linzy Granger’s RBI to left and another RBI came from Mariangela Garcia’s single to score Enriquez. Ramirez’s single scored Li. Granger and Garcia crossed home on a FLC error for two more runs. The seven run rally wrapped up with one more run when Munoz singled to left, bringing in Ramirez. WNMU quickly found themselves with an early lead, 7-0.
After a Skyhawks three run inning in the second to make the score 7-3, it was a scoreless third and fourth inning by both teams.
Castillo broke the drought as she homered a two run score for WNMU to bring the lead to 9-3.
FLC fought back in the sixth inning and rallied four runs to bring them within two, 9-7.
The Lady Mustangs answered back in the seventh with two more runs. The first run came from an error to score Munoz and then a Garcia single brought home Bailey McFarland to make the score 11-7.
The Skyhawks did not go away so easily in the seventh inning as they put together a two run rally to bring them within two. With bases loaded and two outs, WNMU’s Domi Shone kept her cool and was able to retire the last batter on a lined out to give the Mustangs the win, 11-9.
FLC held the advantage in hits with 15 while WNMU came away with 14. Three Mustangs brought in three hits each: Garcia, Munoz, and Castillo. Fundora for the Skyhawks led the way in hitting with three hits.
Starting pitcher for the Lady Mustangs was Salazar (W, 8-8) who earned herself the win. She pitched 5.1 innings, gave up five runs, and eight hits. Filling in for Salazar was Granger and Shone. Granger pitched 0.2 innings and giving two runs, while Shone pitched one inning, allowing two runs. FLC pitcher Goldberg (L, 1-10) pitched through six innings, giving up thirteen hits and eleven runs.
WNMU softball will be back on the road this weekend for a doubleheader Saturday and Sunday as they face off against Colorado Mesa who is currently on a 25-game winning streak.
