LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Despite recording 18 hits in two games, the Western New Mexico University softball team fell in both games to open the Desert Stinger Friday. St. Edward’s claimed the first game, 8-3, and then Western Washington rallied to claim the 12-11 victory in the nightcap.
In the first game against St. Edward’s, WNMU (2-6) got off on the right foot in the first inning. Alicia Enriquez (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) opened with a single and after Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) moved her to second on a sacrifice, Stephanie Higgins (Escondido, CA/Mission Hills High School) homered to center for the quick 2-0 lead after one.
The Lady Hilltoppers then came back with a run in the second, four in the third, another in the fourth and two more in the fifth to build an 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the fifth. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) opened the fifth with a single. Thailyza Ramirez (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) walked and Mary Othon (Tucson, AZ/Desert View High School) singled to load the bases. Samantha Munoz (Peoria, AZ/Centennial) then collected the RBI on a fielder’s choice groundout that closed the scoring at 8-3.
St. Edward’s held a 12-8 edge on hits. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) and Higgins posted two hits apiece. Roberts tallied three hits and two RBI to lead the Lady Hilltoppers. Klug got the win in the circle for St. Edward’s going all seven innings. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) logged the first three innings and took the loss (0-2) for WNMU after allowing five earned runs. Mikayla Austin (Florence, AZ/Florence ) tossed the final four innings and allowed two earned runs.
In the second game, the Lady Mustangs were in good shape after two innings. Trailing 1-0 into the second, WNMU would explode for eight in the second. Ramirez walked and after Othon reached on an error, Mariangela Garcia (Tucson, AZ/Desert View) singled to left to score Ramirez. A sacrifice by Munoz moved the runners to second and third. Davi Martin (Silver City, NM/Silver City) singled back to the pitcher to load the bases for Krystal Castillo (Silver City, NM/Silver City). Castillo singled to left to plate Othon for the second run of the inning. Enriquez added to that a single up the middle to bring in Garcia. Linzy Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) kept the action going with an error by the pitcher to score the fourth run of the frame. Higgins then added to an already big day as she connected on a grand slam to clear the bases and give WNMU an 8-1 lead.
Western Washington then rallied in third responding with 11 runs on nine hits to take a 12-8 lead.
After a scoreless fourth, WNMU got the offense going again in the fifth. With one out, Garcia drilled a solo home run. Munoz added a single and then after a walk to Martin, a groundout by Castillo moved the runners to second and third with two outs. Enriquez cashed both runners in with a double up the middle leaving WNMU down just one, 12-11.
Still trailing by one in the seventh, the Lady Mustangs had a chance to tie. Garcia opened the frame with a single and moved to second on a sacrifice by Munoz. A groundout then moved her to third with two outs when a groundout to shortstop ended the threat and the game.
The Lady Vikings outhit WNMU 14-10. Garcia led the Lady Mustangs with three hits, while Enriquez and Munoz tallied two hits apiece. Higgins tallied four RBI, Enriquez with three and Garcia with two. Amundson and Levin had three hits apiece to lead Western Washington, while Fine recorded four RBI. Chantel Purcella (Albuquerque, NM/Albuquerque) started in the circle and went two innings for WNMU. MaryJo Granger (Carlsbad, NM/Carlsbad) pitched the final four innings and ended up with the loss (0-3) despite giving up just two earned runs. Ison got the win for Western Washington as she worked three innings in the middle to record the victory.
WNMU will continue play in the Desert Stinger on Saturday beginning at 11:30 a.m. Pacific Time against Northwest Nazarene University. They will finish the day at 2 p.m. against St. Cloud State University.
