The University of the Southwest returned home this weekend to take on Huston-Tillotson University. Both teams came into a weekend with playoff implications for a spot in the RRAC Conference tournament. It would also be Senior Weekend for the Mustangs, who were celebrating five of their graduating players. It would be a great weekend to be a Mustangs as they would sweep the series, improving playoff chances and giving the seniors a weekend to remember.  
 
GAME 1
It all started in the 1st inning for the Mustangs as they put up four runs off a single from Gavin VanGronigen, a bases-loaded walk, and a pair of sacrifice flies.  
 
The Rams would provide an answer in the top of the 2^nd with a three-run inning to put them within one. Two innings later, Huston-Tillotson would take the lead with a three-run home run to right field. In the 5^th, they would score four runs, with another three-run home run being the primary source of runs. 
 
It was not over; the Mustangs returned in the bottom half with a Hayden Woods double to bring in a run. VanGronigen would ground out to score another run and cut the lead down to four. In the top of the 6^th, USW scored another three runs off a few miscues and an RBI single from Woods. 
 
An Eliazar Torres single in the bottom of the 7^th inning would tie the game up at ten. The comeback would be completed in the bottom of the 8^th when VanGronigen drove a ball to the gap to bring in Kevan Diaz and walk off game one of the series. 
 
GAME 2
Huston-Tillotson came out hot to start the second game of the series, taking advantage of free runners to put up five runs in the first two innings of the game. The Mustangs did not stay down for long as the offense struck for seven runs in the bottom of the 2^nd inning. It would be highlighted by RBI singles from Omar Baldenegro, Kevan Diaz, Hayden Woods, and Andru Sanchez. 
 
The Rams pulled one back in the 3^rd inning with an RBI single and would eventually tie the game in the top of the 6^th with another RBI single.
 
In the bottom of the 6^th, Gavin VanGronigen doubled to right field to score Diaz and Derrick Martinez to give the Mustangs the lead. Andru Sanchez tacked on one more with an RBI single to make it 10-7. Caden Davis would finish the game for the Mustangs, giving them a 2-0 series lead.
 
GAME 3
The Mustangs would honor five of their graduating players before the start of game three. Braxton Ashford, Cade Contreras, Jonathan Gamboa, Andru Sanchez, and Cody Stone were celebrated for their time spent at USW.

The offense aimed to make it a memorable Senior Day, with Gavin VanGronigen and Carson Miller driving in the first three runs with a pair of singles in the first inning. In the 2nd inning, Hayden Woods brought in a run with a fielder's choice. A couple of batters later, Andru Sanchez doubled to deep center field to drive in another two runs. 

In the 4th inning, Steven Martinez scored on a wild pitch, and Miller's sacrifice fly would make it an 8-0 game. The Mustangs struck for five runs in the bottom of the 5^th, with VanGronigen bringing in three on a bases-clearing double. 

Starter AJ Cordova pitched an incredible game for the seniors, taking a no-hitter into the 6th inning. He would end with six innings pitched, allowing only one hit and one run. 

Jonathan Gamboa and Cade Contreras would close out the final inning for the Mustangs, sealing the series sweep and capping off a memorable Senior Weekend. 

"It was a typical senior weekend in Hobbs, America," said Head Coach Steve Appel. "The weekend had great weather, good energy, and a lot of suspense. Both teams came out swinging on day one but our guys showed some grit and came out on top. They never folded under some pressure and found ways to compete all day. On the second day, our guys showed energy from the start and never stopped. This is exactly what we needed going into the last weekend of the regular season. It was a great way to celebrate our seniors at their last series here at 'The Jake.'" 
 
USW Baseball hits the road next weekend to take on Our Lady of the Lake for the final series of the regular season. Continue to follow USW Athletics and USW Baseball on all social media for scores and updates throughout the season.