The University of the Southwest Softball team had an eventful weekend as they hosted a couple of conference matchups as well as Senior night when they hosted Texas A&M-San Antonio on Friday, and then had a quick turnaround as they hosted Our Lady of the Lake on Saturday. The Lady Mustangs came into the weekend 14-21 overall and 4-12 in RRAC play. USW would not be able to get a victory against either squad as they would drop both series.  
 
TAMUSA
Game 1 
The Lady Mustangs would honor their seniors prior to their games against TAMUSA. Senior Felicity Villanueva, Graduate Student Michaela Trevino, Graduate Student Kenzi Savell, and Senior Mikayla Martinez would be recognized for their time at USW. 
 
It would be a pitchers' duel early, with neither team scoring until the 5^th inning. TAMUSA struck first with a 2-run home run to take the lead. They would add another two runs in the 6^th inning from an error and an RBI single. 
 
Janessa Gabaldon threw well for the Lady Mustangs, throwing six innings and allowing five hits and just four runs. The team would find themselves in a rut offensively as they were shut out by the Jaguar pitcher and the way to a 4-0 defeat.
 
Game 2
The Lady Mustangs would finally get the ball rolling offensively as they were able to strike early in the bottom of the first to tie the game after the Lady Jaguars put one across in the 1^st inning. Janessa Gabaldon would be brought in by an error on the Lady Jaguars' defense. Senior Mikayla Martinez would pace the offense for game two as she went 2-3, including a double. 

TAMUSA drove in four runs in the 3^rd and 4^th inning combined to take the lead 5-1. 
 
Gabaldon drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the 5^th to make it 5-2. The Lady Jags singled one more run to extend their lead to 6-2. 
 
Felicity Villanueva would score on an error in the 6^th inning after a stolen base, but USW would fall 6-3. 
 
 
OLLU
Game 1
The Lady Stangs would have another tough matchup as the Saints from OLLU would be in town, and they would not wait to find the groove offensively, putting up six runs in the top of the second to put the Lady Stangs down early. The Saints would add another in the 3^rd inning off a solo home run and another in the 5^th with an RBI double.
 
The Lady Mustangs would strike on offense when Mikayla Martinez brought in Felicity Villanueva with a sacrifice fly.
 
OLLU would not stop offensively when a pair of doubles in the 6^th inning brought in three more runs to make it 11-1. In the bottom of the 6^th, Villanueva legged out an inside-the-park grand slam that would bring the final to 11-5. Villanueva would be the main factor for the Lady Stangs offensively, going 2-3 on the day, including a triple and a grand slam.
 
Game 2
The Lady Stangs would continue to be challenged in the series' final game as they faced strong pitching once again. OLLU jumped out in front, posting one run every inning from the 2^nd to the 5^th to give them a 4-0 lead.
 
Xyla Madry drove in Kenzi Savell in the 5^th inning to bring a little life to the Mustang offense.
Savell would make it a memorable last day at home as she would triple and cross the plate for the Lady Mustangs' only run. 
 
The Saints added two more runs in the bottom of the 7^th inning to pad their lead and give them a 6-1 win and series victory over USW.
 
"Senior Day was a special day for my four seniors and myself," said Head Coach Chris Petroski. "I am very proud of each of these young ladies for their roles on and off the field.  They are true competitors in life.
I knew this would be a tough conference weekend for us playing TAMUSA and OLLU.  We practiced and prepared all week for any possible situation that could arise.  I felt like we were prepared and going into the weekend with confidence."
 
"Unfortunately, we fell short offensively vs. TAMUSA with getting runners on and crossing the plate.  We hit many balls solid, but the wind did not play in our favor. In the last home game vs. OLLU, the lead was just too far to come back from.  We battled late in the game, pushing one run across to keep to game going.  We finally got runners on base and a huge hit from Felicity for her first collegiate HR, which was an in-the-park grand slam. "Moving forward to being on the road the next two weekends, we will continue to prepare for battle.  Every game counts for us in order to make it to the post-season in May.  I am excited for us to handle the pressure and show the conference that we are not done yet."
 
The Lady Mustangs will hit the road for their next two series. They will visit Texas College on April 21^st  and Jarvis Christian on April 22^nd. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Softball on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.