HOBBS, N.M. – University of the Southwest earned a pair of one-run victories, 5-4 and 8-7, over Red River Athletic Conference rival Our Lady of the Lake in front family and friends at an eventful Senior Day at Jake Williams Field.
 
"Really proud of this team and it's a great for our group of seniors to win like this on Senior Day," USW head coach Steve Appel said. "We've had a lot of injuries and setbacks this year and this group has been great leaders and have kept this team together."
 
With the victories, the Mustangs (24-16, 9-12 RRAC) move into a tie for the sixth and final spot in the conference tournament. With games at LSU – Shreveport and Texas A&M Texarkana, Appel is confident his team will respond to the challenge.
 
"Just have to continue to play baseball," Appel said. "We control our own destiny and if we can earn some wins over the next two weeks, we have a shot and that's all you can ask for."
 
In game one on Saturday the Mustangs won on a walk-off error.
 
OLLU pitcher Ty Cook threw a wild pitch and senior JC Velasco saw an opening and sprinted home from third base to secure the win.
 
Senior Ean Smith bated 1-for-3 with a two-run home run and drew a pair of walks. Fellow senior Sam Moreno 2-for-2 with a pair of solo home runs and walked twice.
 
Junior Kevin Whitaker started and was credited with the no decision. The El Paso, Texas product tossed six innings and allowed six hits and four runs and walked six batters and struck out eight.
 
In game two USW started off with a bang. Senior Chris Estrada put the Mustangs up in the bottom of the first with a grand slam. Estrada added his second home run in the bottom of the fourth and Josh Reyes also smacked a home run later in the inning.
 
Estrada finished the game 3-for-4 with seven RBI and scored a pair of runs.
 
Freshman JJ Kruzel earned the win on the bump. The Lil Elm, Texas native tossed five and two thirds and scattered seven hits and allowed seven runs (four earned) and walked four and fanned five batters.
 
The Mustangs return to the diamond April 18 with a non-conference series at SAGU.