Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 The USW Baseball Program competed in their 5^th conference series of the season as the Houston-Victoria Jaguars traveled to Hobbs, America. The Mustangs dropped the series two games to 1 bringing their season record to 18-19 and their conference record to 3-12. 

The contest on Saturday was a special day as USW hosted all current and past military personnel and their families to Jake Williams Field for Military Appreciation Day. Dwayne Penick who is the City Commissioner and Purple Heart Recipient was on hand to throw out the first pitch. USW also welcomed Vietnam War Veterans Darrel Powell, R.B. Buster Hill and Lawrence Hill and presented them with plaques honoring their service for our country. 
 
 
GAME 1---7 INNINGS
UHV 6---USW 5
 
Game 1 starter Alex Goodman took the ball in game 1 and was strong for the first 6 innings, but unfortunately after a couple of errors, left the 7^th inning without the lead and yet another wasted start for the Mustangs. Goodman went the distance allowing 6 runs (3 earned) on 8 hits while striking out 8. The 7^th inning started with an error by 3^rd basemen John Magruder and was then followed 2 batters later by an error on freshman shortstop Brent Thompson on a double play ball that would have ended the game for the Mustangs. But both errors allowed Jaguar cleanup hitter Luis Vargas to step into the box with a chance to give the Jaguars the lead and he did exactly that on a full-count homerun that grazed the top of the left field wall. 
 
The Mustang offense had a great day at the plate as they had 12 hits in the game, but left 7 men on base. Three different Mustangs had 3 hits on the day as Brian Rodriguez went 3-4, CJ Aviles went 3-3 and Ben Tingen went 3-4. Aviles drove in 3 RBIs on the day and Brent Thompson led the scoring with 2 runs scored. 
 
 
GAME 2---9 INNINGS
USW 6---UHV 5
 
The Mustangs needed every at-bat in this one as they walked off UHV courtesy of a Dom Baca chopped single over the crashed-in infield that brought home Micah Tambur and gave USW their first conference victory since Game 3 against Texas College. The offense scratched 6 runs on 8 hits and walked 9 times in the game. Dom Baca and Ben Tingen each had 2 hits in the game and CJ Aviles had 3 walks in the 3-hole. 
 
Sophomore JJ Kruzel took the hill in Game 2 and labored through 5 innings allowing 5 earned on 6 hits and struck out 6 batters. Kruzel was roughed up for 4 runs in the top of the 3^rd inning via a 3-run home run courtesy of Jaguar 1^st basemen Garrett Harrison. Kruzel handed the ball over to the bullpen in the top of the 6^th as the duo of Ezra Acosta and Ignacio "Nacho" Elizalde held the Jaguar offense scoreless for the final 4 innings of the game. Both pitchers threw 2 innings each and struck out 1 batter each and allowed zero walks. Elizalde earned the win in relief which brings his record to 4-1 on the year and brings his ERA to 1.09 in 24.2 innings. 
 
The bottom of the 9^th started with a single by Micah Tambur who advanced to 2^nd base via an error on the left fielder. Following a CJ Aviles sacrifice bunt and a Othon Delacruz single via a dropped fly ball, Dom Baca came to the plate with the infield in and a chance to win the game. Baca chopped a ball that was over the reach of the jumping 2^nd basemen and the Mustangs had completed their 2^nd walk off victory of the season. 
 
 
GAME 3---9 INNINGS
UHV 12---USW 9
 
The weekend would not have been complete without a windy day out here in Hobbs, America. The wind was blowing 20-30 mph straight out to centerfield and the Jaguars were able to take advantage of that as leadoff hitter Austin Wailes sent the 2^nd pitch of the game out over the fence just in front of the scoreboard in left-center field. Senior Marvin Galarza had the bad luck of pitching in the windy conditions, but did the best he could with sloppy defense and a timid offensive approach. Galarza went 3.2 innings allowing 11 hits and 6 earned runs (9 runs) while striking out 4. The Mustang defense was unable to help out their pitching on this tough day as they had 5 errors on the afternoon and several dropped fly balls that do not show up in the error column. 
 
Although the offense scored 9 runs, they left another 10 men on base which proved to be the reason they lost. Failure to capitalize in big situations took the wind out of their sails and they were never able to recover. Jake Wyly had a big day at the plate as he was 3-4 with 3 runs scored, 2 doubles and a walk. Bobby Galindo got back to his early season form as he was 2-4 with a double, 3 RBIs and a monster homerun to right field. It was the first homerun for the Mustangs since Galindo's homerun against LSU-S in Game 1 of the first conference series of the season. The offense pushed out 12 hits and 5 walks, but lack of execution ended up hurting them in the end.