THE RUNDOWN
SILVER CITY, N.M. – Midwestern State pushed across a combined 16 runs in a pair of setbacks on the road to Western New Mexico. The Mustangs dropped both games, 8-7 and 12-9, to the Mustangs at WNMU Softball Field in Silver City.

Junior first baseman Taylor Brintzenhoff led off the top of the third with a hit-by-pitch before freshman second baseman Marley Eller reached on a fielder's choice. After a popup to third, sophomore outfielder Tucker Caraway deposited a single down the right field line to put two aboard. Sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin lined a two-out single into left to give MSU a 1-0 lead.

MSU added to the lead in the fourth to stretch the advantage to 2-0. Senior catcher Amanda Thomas rifled a leadoff double into the left field corner when a groundout to the left side allowed the backstop to move up to third. Brintzenhoff pulled a two-out single through the left-side of the infield, plating Thomas easily from third.

WNMU rallied to grab the lead in the bottom of the frame. Victoria Arganda wore a pitch with one out and quickly moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Dominique Gonzalez singled up the middle to put runners on the corners. After an RBI single from Tycee Coplan, Ariana Maldonado hit a three-run shot to give the Mustangs a 4-2 advantage.

The Maroon and Gold responded with a five-spot in the top of the fifth to take the lead for good. Caraway led off the inning with a single to center and Eropkin was hit-by-pitch to put the first two aboard. Sophomore outfielder Lauren Lindgren reached on a bunt single, bringing home Caraway from second. Thomas drove an RBI single to center before a passed ball scored Lindgren and gave MSU the lead. Brintzenhoff belted her second long ball of the season, a two-run tater to center, to stretch the lead to 7-4.

A two-out, two-run home run off the bat of Brooklyn Misenhimer cut MSU's lead down to one in the bottom of the fifth before eventually pushing across the equalizer in the bottom of the sixth. After two quick outs, Mariangela Garcia was hit by junior pitcher Abbie Lancaster's 3-2 offering to extend the inning. A two-out single from Grisdey Paredes moved the tying run into scoring position. Alicia Habitzreu hooked a double into left to tie the game at seven.

MSU stranded two aboard in the top of the seventh to give WNMU the walk off opportunity. Gonzalez reached with one out via a hit-by-pitch. Coplan dropped down a bunt and an errant throw allowed both runners to move into scoring position with one out. Maldonado lifted a fly ball to right field, scoring Gonzalez and give the Mustangs the walk-off win, 8-7.

In the nightcap, MSU put up three runs in each of the first two innings, but surrendered a five spot in both the second and third innings, hindering the comeback bid.

Eropkin and Eller each logged three hits in the setback while Thomas went 2-for-3 with a three-run blast in the second.

Trailing 12-6 in the top of the seventh, MSU mounted a rally to bring the tying run to the on-deck circle. Eller collected her third hit of the day on a leadoff single up the middle and Brintzenhoff followed with a double down the left field line. Shortstop Caycee Griffin loaded the bases on a one-out hit-by-pitch before a fielder's choice brought home the first run of the inning. Eropkin rifled a two-run double down the left field line to score Caraway and Brintzenhoff, but a groundout quelled the rally by the Mustangs.

GAME NOTES
- Midwestern State lost the series opener to Western New Mexico in walk-off fashion, 8-7, in MSU's eighth one-run contest this season. The Mustangs are 3-5 in games decided by one run or fewer.
- Senior first baseman Taylor Brintzenhoff set a new season-high, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBI.
- In the second game, MSU pounded out a season-high three doubles from sophomore outfielder Kelsey Eropkin, junior infielder Misty Muniz and Brintzenhoff.
- MSU surrendered a season-high 17 hits to the Mustangs.
- Freshman infielder Marley Eller logged a season-high three hits, going 3-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.
- Eropkin tallied her third three-hit performance of the season, matching a previous high set against Eastern New Mexico on March 3.

UP NEXT
Midwestern State is back on the diamond tomorrow to wrap up the four-game series with Western New Mexico. First pitch for the doubleheader is slated for 1 p.m. in Silver City.