HOBBS, N.M. – University of the Southwest softball swept Oklahoma Panhandle State 7-6 and 3-0 Saturday afternoon in non-conference action at Baker Field.

In game two the Mustangs used a combination of stout defense and timely offense to secure the win.

Gabrielle Heckman earned the win in the circle for the Mustangs. Heckman tossed four innings and scattered two hits and struck out a pair of batters and did not walk a batter.

MyKaya Olivas entered in relief and threw three scoreless innings.  Olivas allowed one hit and struck out two batters while surrendering a walk.

The Mustangs (3-1) did its damage in the bottom of the fourth. Adrianna Silva opened the frame with a single to left and Heckman reached on a bunt single to put runners at first and second base. Lynette Nikolao drilled a line drive to center field to score Silva, while Heckman was thrown out at home plate. Moments later Chelsea Carroll single to left field to score Nikolao and USW opened a 2-0 lead.

USW added to its lead in the bottom of the fifth inning behind a Brianna Gonzalez solo homerun.

Silva and Carroll each batted 2-for-3, while Nikolao went 1-for-3.

The series opener did not lack offense in the Mustangs 7-6 win.

USW's offense started fast and led 4-0 after two innings of play. OPSU (1-3) countered with a pair of runs in the third to cut the lead in half. The Mustangs also added a run in the fourth inning and two in the sixth inning.

Gonzalez batted 3-for-4 with two RBI, two steals and a run scored. Silva went 2-for-4 with a two-run home run. Carroll also batted 2-for-3.

Madison Garcia earned the win in the circle. Garcia tossed five innings and scattered four hits and allowed two runs (both unearned) and struck out one while allowing a walk. Olivas entered in relief and earned the save.

Friday games vs. OPSU

USW split its opening series versus OPSU.

The Mustangs won game one 5-2 and dropped the night cap 12-7.

In the 5-2 win, Garcia threw five innings and scattered three hits and allowed a pair of runs while striking out four and walking four.

Silva batted 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.

In the 12-7 setback, Olivas absorbed the loss. Olivas allowed seven hits and allowed six runs. All 12 runs scored were unearned due to the five USW errors.

The Mustangs return to action Tuesday afternoon against NCAA Division II UTPB.