Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 The USW Baseball Program completed a 3-game sweep over Bethany College on Friday & Saturday. The Mustangs won 6-5, 6-0 & 18-12 over those 3 games that included a few special pitching performances and several standout days at the plate. The victories bring the Mustangs record to 11-5. The Mustangs are on the road for 2 games Sunday as they take on the Arlington Baptist Patriots. 
 
Game 1
USW 6---Bethany 5
 
The hero from Game 1 was no stranger to clutch situations this season. Bobby Galindo drove a double down the right field line with 1 out in the bottom of the 6^th inning to bring home Brian Rodriguez & Jacob Harris to give the Mustangs the 6-5 lead. Galindo was 2-3 on the day with 2 doubles, 2 runs scored and 2 runs batted in. The other half of the Mustangs "Bash Brothers", Tony Delacruz, was 2-4 on the day with 2 doubles, 2 runs batted in and 1 run scored. The 3 & 4 hitters for USW drove in 4 of the 6 runs on the day to continue their strong starts to the season. 
 
"You always have to feel good when your middle guys are having great AB's, especially when they have the opportunity to put us ahead, keep us ahead, and even get us back within reach.  Our other guys in the lineup are being able to work deep counts to wear them down by the time our middle gets up to the plate.  Our middle of the order has been consistent for the most part and if they can keep this up, they will be tough to beat." Coach Appel said of Delacruz and Galindo.
 
JJ Kruzel got the start once again for Game 1 and struggled a bit this time around. The sophomore from Little Elm was roughed up for 5 runs (3 earned), 8 hits, but did strike out 7 opposing batters. Kruzel lasted only 5 innings this outing before turning the ball over to Dio Diaz and Davis Flores. Diaz pitched the 6^th inning and struck out 2 batters while throwing up a zero on the scoreboard. After the Mustangs took the lead in the bottom of the 6^th, David Flores came in looking for his 5^th save of the season. The senior from El Paso, TX retired all 3 batters he faced which included 2 strikeouts for the submarine pitcher. Flores' 5^th save of the season currently puts him in a tie for the NAIA lead. 
 
The Mustangs 3-6 hitters were 8-13 on the day and drove in all 5 RBIs on the day. CJ Aviles & Micah Tambur were both 2-3 at the plate and Brian Rodriguez was also 2-3 on the day. The 11 hits for the Mustangs ties a season high for hits in a game, which they did last weekend against Adams St. 
 
GAME 2
USW 6---Bethany 0
 
The story of Game 2 was the return of redshirt senior Axel Arrieta. Arrieta who had his 2018 season cut short due to injury, made his first start of the 2019 season and put on a dazzling performance. The El Paso native went 6 innings, allowing 6 hits and 0 runs on only 58 pitches. 
 
"It was nice seeing Axel back on the mound for us.  He has the ability to keep hitters off balance all game.  His ability to command all his pitches is his key.  He won't be a guy that strikes out a ton, but he will limit his walks and let his defense work for him.  The big key for him so far has been his fastball.  When he can throw his fastball where he wants, it allows him to set up hitters with the rest of his pitches. I look forward to seeing him compete for us in conference." Coach Appel said about senior Axel Arrieta
 
The Mustangs scored 1 run in the 1^st inning using some small ball and timely hitting. But the 2^nd inning is when the USW offense exploded for 5 runs, knocking starter Josh Macat out of the game after just 1 2/3 innings. The Mustangs once again used small ball to open up the field for the middle of the order. Ben Tingen led off the inning with a walk and stole second which allowed Chris Garcia to sacrifice him over to 3^rd on the next pitch, but Garcia beat the throw from the 3^rd basemen. Brian Rodriguez then roped a single to right field which brought home Tingen. Jacob Harris then came up and laid down a sacrifice bunt, which the pitcher threw to third base, forcing the 3^rd basemen off the bag and allowing all base runners to be safe. Bobby Galindo came to the plate and drove a deep fly ball to right field, allowing Garcia to score from 3^rd. After a wild pitch and another Mustang crossing the plate, Micah Tambur hit a ball to the shortstop who then threw the ball past the 1^st basemen allowing 2 more runners to score. The Mustangs ended up with 5 runs during the inning. 
 
Both team put zeros on the board for the final 5 innings of the game and gave USW the series win with a chance for a sweep on Sunday. 
 
GAME 3
USW 18---Bethany 12
 
Saturday's Game 3 was as wild as the weather conditions the teams had to play in. With a 1^st pitch temperature of 51 degrees and a wind advisory in affect, the game had a sloppy feel to it for the entire 9-inning contest. Although there were only 6 errors recorded, there were 10+ dropped or misplayed pop fly's due to the 30-40 mph wind gusts that took control of the game.
 
The teams combined for 30 runs, 29 hits and 6 errors on the day. 
 
Marvin Galarza took to the mound for Game 3. Although Galarza did not have his best stuff on Saturday, he pitched well enough to earn the victory, but was roughed up due to some sloppy defense and bonehead mistakes in the field. The senior went 3 1/3 inning allowing 6 hits, 9 runs (7 earned) and struck out 4. Orlan Warren came in for relief going 1 2/3 innings allowing 3 hits and struck out 4. 
 
Senior Ignacio "Nacho" Elizalde came in for the 6^th inning and took control of the game. Nacho went 4 innings striking out 3 and allowed only 3 runs in the tough conditions. 
 
Despite the lack of focus in the field and on the mound, the offense came to life starting in the 4^th inning as they scored 5 runs on 4 hits. The Mustangs were down 10-8 heading into the bottom of the 6^th inning. USW took the lead thanks to a 3-run home run off the bat of Tony Delacruz (3^rd of the season). Delacruz launched a 1-0 fastball deep over the left field fence for a no doubt home run. 
 
The Mustangs were not done in the game as they scored 3 runs in the 6^th, 5 in the 7^th and 2 in the 8^th to get to 18 runs. This is a season high for runs in a game. 
 
The Mustangs had several key contributors at the plate on Saturday. Micah Tambur was 3-6 with 4 RBIs and 1 double. Tony Delacruz was 2-4 with 2 runs scored, 5 RBIs, 1 HR and 2 walks. Brian Rodriguez had another strong day at the bottom of the order, as he was 2-4 with 2 runs scored and 2 RBIs
 
"In this sort of weather, you just have to jump on that saddle and see what happens.  The key is staying positive and just playing the game. I thought our guys did a good job competing after a couple of innings of poor baseball.  If we can somehow keep us within striking range, we will try to find ways to take advantage of that. Overall, I'm pleased with sweeping a good Bethany team. We just have to keep competing and finding ways to win.  Now we have to turn the page and get ready for another two games on the road tomorrow " some thoughts from Coach Appel following game 3.