HOBBS, N.M. - University of the Southwest baseball team battled through a tough opening doubleheader against Louisiana State University-Alexandria, dropping the opener 9-3 and the second game of the twin bill 7-3 at Jake Williams Field.
 
On the bump for game one was freshman JJ Kruzel. The Lil Elm, Texas native combined for nine hits, two runs, two walks and fanned one batter.
 
Senior Aaron Higgins relieved and allowed four hits, two runs and one walk and struck out one. Senior Marvin Galarza entered in the fourth inning and allowed one hit and fanned one batter. Freshman Nick Martinez went the rest of the way for the Mustangs and allowed two hits, one run and two walks and fanned one batter.
 
Senior Kenny Corona went 2-for-3 and JC Velasco went 1-for-2 and an added RBI.
 
On the bump for game two was junior Kevin Whitaker. The El Paso, Texas product allowed one hit and five runs and struck out four batters. Relieving Whitaker was senior Alex Goodman in the third inning. Goodman scattered six hits and allowed two runs and fanned four batters.
 
Senior Ean Smith went 2-for-4 with an RBI, while junior Anthony Rios went 1-for-3 with a run. Junior Ben Tingen batted 1-for-3 with a run.
 
The Mustangs conclude the weekend series Saturday with a single nine-inning game at 11 a.m. at The Jake.