WICHITA FALLS, Texas — Midwestern State (8-42, 6-34 LSC) fell to Western New Mexico (25-25, 21-19 LSC) in a doubleheader at Mustangs Park, losing 5–2 in eight innings and 12–10 in a back-and-forth nine-inning game.

In the first game, the Mustangs' lineup drew a total of six walks and recorded four hits, while WNMU hit four home runs to secure the victory. In the second inning, Hayeli Acosta doubled to center field, setting the stage for Tatum Waller's sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error by WNMU, allowing Acosta to score and tie the game at 1–1. WNMU took the lead in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Marleigh Manns, making it 2–1 in favor of the visitors. MSU leveled the score in the seventh inning when Stormy Daniel scored on a single by Sydnie Rios, tying the game at 2–2. However, in the eighth inning, Abbi Markus, Lanessa Morales, and Marleigh Manns each hit solo home runs, extending WNMU's lead to 5–2.

Kayleigh Bowers pitched 7 2/3 innings in the first game, allowing eight hits and five earned runs while striking out four batters. She issued one walk and threw a total of 123 pitches, 77 of which were strikes. Shyanne Florence entered in relief, pitching 1/3 inning without allowing a hit or a run, throwing only two pitches, both strikes. Hayeli Acosta contributed with a double and scored a run, finishing with one hit and one walk. Chipper Mayorga added one hit and drew a walk in the game, while Stormy Daniel scored a run and stole a base.

In the second game, Western New Mexico took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, but Midwestern State responded with a run of its own, driven in by Tatum Waller's single. The Mustangs surged ahead in the second inning, scoring four runs, highlighted by Stormy Daniel's inside-the-park home run and a two-RBI single by Hayeli Acosta, ending the inning with MSU leading 5–3. Marisela Landa extended the lead with a solo home run in the third inning, making it 6–4 in favor of MSU. Waller added another run with an infield RBI single in the fourth, increasing the lead to 7–4. WNMU closed the gap in the fifth with a two-run homer, bringing the score to 7–6.

Midwestern State added two runs in the sixth inning, with Madison Stewart's sacrifice fly and Landa's RBI single, but WNMU matched them with two runs of their own, keeping the score tight at 9–8. The seventh inning was dramatic as WNMU scored two runs to take a 10-9 lead, but Rios managed to score for the Mustangs, leveling the score at 10–10. In the decisive ninth inning, Western New Mexico hit a two-run homer to secure a 12–10 victory, with MSU unable to answer in its final at-bat.

Tatum Waller recorded three hits and drove in two runs in the second game. Chipper Mayorga shone with four hits, including a double, and scored three runs. Stormy Daniel hit a home run and walked three times, while Marisela Landa added two hits, including a home run, and collected two RBIs. On the pitching front, Shyanne Florence pitched 4 1/3 innings, allowing eight hits and six earned runs, while striking out two and walking two. Audrey Sierra contributed 1 2/3 innings in relief, surrendering seven hits and four runs, though only three were earned. Kaylin Salazar closed the game with three innings of work, giving up two hits and two earned runs, recording one strikeout and allowing one home run.

Western New Mexico clinched a berth in the 2026 Lone Star Conference Softball Championship as the No. 9 seed and will face No. 8-seed Texas Woman's on Wednesday afternoon at Schaeffer Park in Canyon, Texas.