HOBBS, NM---In a day that saw wind gusts up to 40 miles per hour, the Mustang Baseball program hosted a doubleheader with West Texas rival Wayland Baptist University. The Mustangs swept the doubleheader defeating the Pioneers 7-2 & 8-2. The victories bring the Mustangs record to 8-10 on the season. 

"I thought the guys played well today. After a bad weekend, I wanted the guys to compete well and they did just that. They bought into the gameplan on the mound, played good enough defensively and executed small ball very well. On a windy day like today, I thought our guys put together very good at-bats throughout the day. They were able to get into good hitting counts and play the game we know we are good at. Now it's time that we stay focused and have this same mentality game after game. As long as we stay within, we will be fine. I'm hopeful the guys understand that success starts with our mentality. We just need to continue how we played today" said Head Coach Steve Appel following Tuesday's doubleheader sweep. 

GAME 1
USW 7---WBU 2

TJ Ruiz got his first career start in Game 1 and did not disappoint. The freshman from Carlsbad, NM took a shutout into the final inning of the game, before he allowed 2 runs. Ruiz struck out 6 Pioneers and allowed only 4 hits in the game. 

Both teams were scoreless through 3.5 innings before the Mustangs opened up the scoring with an unearned run in the bottom of the 4th. Gavy Perez-Torred led off the inning with a strikeout in the dirt, but Wayland catcher Jake Green threw the ball down the right-field line allowing Perez-Torres to advance to third on the wild throw. Caden Ledbetter would then single home GPT to give the Mustangs the 1-0 lead. 

The Mustangs would then add on 6 runs in the bottom of the 5th to extend their lead to 7-0. The Mustangs got hits from Brian Rodriguez, Kevin Rase, Gavy Perez-Torres, Caden Ledbetter and Andru Sanchez in the inning. 

Caden Ledbetter finished the game going 2-3 with 2 RBI and Kevin Rase also drove in 2 RBI to go along with a double. 

GAME 2
USW 8---WBU 2

The Mustangs banged out 12 hits in Game 2 including 5 starters with 2 hits in the contest. Caden Ledbetter was 2-4 with 3 RBI and Gavy Perez-Torres was 2-3 with 2 RBI in the game. 

Jacob Chavarria got the start on the mound and had a much improved outing from the last time he faced Wayland Baptist. The Las Cruces native went 4 innings allowing 2 runs while striking out 4. Isaac Baeza threw 2 innings of relief and allowed 0 hits and 0 runs. Cade Contreras finished out the 7th inning to secure the doubleheader sweep for the Mustangs.