February 6, 2025 - Game 1 - The Jake, TX –
The Southwest baseball team put on an impressive all-around performance, securing an 8-3 victory over Wayland Baptist (TX). Behind early offensive fireworks and a strong showing on the mound, Southwest controlled the game from start to finish.
Game Recap
Southwest's offense wasted no time, jumping out to an early 4-1 lead in the first inning. The team continued to add runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, finishing the game with nine hits and eight RBIs.
- D. Amaya led the offense, going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
- B. Ledezma provided clutch hitting, collecting two hits and two RBIs.
- C. Jaquez-Munoz came through in key moments, driving in three runs.
Wayland Baptist struggled defensively, committing five errors, which Southwest took full advantage of throughout the game.
Pitching Performance
Southwest's pitching staff delivered a dominant outing, holding Wayland Baptist to just six hits over seven innings.
- M. Olivas was in control, tossing a complete game (7.0 IP), allowing only three runs while striking out six batters.
- The defense played a clean game, committing zero errors, helping preserve the lead.
Key Moments
- First-Inning Surge – Southwest jumped ahead with four runs in the opening frame, setting the tone for the game.
- Ledezma's RBI Single in the Third – Extended the lead and kept the pressure on Wayland Baptist.
- Defensive Execution – Southwest's error-free defense limited Wayland Baptist's scoring opportunities.
Game 2-
Southwest baseball team struggled against Wayland Baptist's explosive offense, falling 15-1 in a tough loss at home. A massive nine-run third inning by the visitors set the tone, making it difficult for Southwest to mount any comeback.
Game Recap
Wayland Baptist started their scoring in the second inning, plating a lone run before delivering a devastating nine-run third inning. The visitors continued to pile on with three more runs in the fourth and two in the fifth, ultimately finishing the game with 15 runs on 12 hits.
Meanwhile, Southwest struggled offensively, managing just one run on five hits while leaving five runners stranded.
- V. Chavez provided the team's only offense with a solo home run in the third inning.
- D. Amaya and H. Woods each added a hit but couldn't spark a sustained rally.
Wayland Baptist's Offensive Onslaught
Wayland Baptist capitalized on nearly every opportunity:
- Two home runs fueled the big innings.
- Seven walks drawn helped extend their at-bats and create scoring chances.
- Multiple two-out RBIs allowed them to keep momentum throughout the game.
Their aggressive approach at the plate, combined with Southwest's defensive struggles (four errors committed), proved to be the difference.
Pitching Struggles for Southwest
Southwest's pitching staff had a rough outing:
- J. Martin (starter) lasted just 2.2 innings, allowing nine runs on five hits.
- The bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding, surrendering six additional runs over the final innings.
- Despite striking out seven batters, the staff struggled with control, issuing seven walks and giving up two home runs.
February 7, 2025 – Wilder Field, TX – Game 3
Southwest suffered a tough 18-5 loss to West Texas A&M, as the opposing offense proved to be too much to handle. Despite an early surge, Southwest couldn't keep pace with the Buffs, who tallied 18 runs on 18 hits.
Game Recap
West Texas A&M wasted no time asserting dominance, scoring five runs in the first inning. The Buffs continued their offensive explosion with three-run frames in the third, fifth, and eighth innings, followed by a four-run ninth, making any chance of a comeback nearly impossible.
Southwest opened strong with a three-run first inning, but they struggled to generate consistent offense afterward. They managed to push across five runs on seven hits, but it wasn't enough to counter West Texas A&M's relentless attack.
West Texas A&M's Offensive Onslaught
The Buffs were dominant at the plate:
- Seven doubles and three home runs fueled their offensive explosion.
- Nine hit-by-pitches and five walks helped extend innings and created additional scoring opportunities.
- Clutch hitting with two outs kept Southwest's pitching under pressure throughout the game.
Pitching Struggles for Southwest
Southwest's pitching staff had difficulty containing the Buffs:
- K. Carpio (starter) lasted only 4.2 innings, surrendering 11 runs on nine hits, including a home run.
- The bullpen struggled, allowing seven additional runs over the final innings.
- West Texas A&M capitalized on every opportunity, collecting 13 hits with runners on base.
Key Moments
- Five-Run First Inning for West Texas A&M – Set the tone early and put Southwest on its heels.
- Nine Extra-Base Hits for the Buffs – Showcased their power and aggressive approach at the plate.
- Southwest's Three-Run First Inning – Gave early hope but was quickly overshadowed by West Texas A&M's relentless offense.
Game 4 -
Southwest put together a strong offensive performance and a late-game surge to take down Wayland Baptist 7-4 in a well-fought battle on the road. A three-run sixth inning proved to be the difference as Southwest improved to 7-4 on the season.
Game Recap
Southwest set the tone early, scoring one run in the first and adding two more in the second to jump out to a 3-0 lead. Wayland Baptist responded with three runs in the bottom of the second to tie the game.
After trading single runs in the fourth and fifth innings, Southwest broke the game open in the sixth, plating three runsto take a 7-4 lead, which they held for the remainder of the game.
Standout Performances
- M. Gonzales was the offensive catalyst, driving in five RBIs while going 2-for-3, including a home run.
- C. Miller delivered a clutch solo home run, finishing with two hits and two RBIs.
- D. Amaya was a spark at the top of the order, scoring three runs and stealing a base.
- Pitcher T. Ruiz was solid on the mound, pitching 3.0 innings while striking out two batters and allowing four runs.
Southwest's bullpen stepped up, shutting out Wayland Baptist over the final three innings to secure the victory.
Key Moments
- Three-Run Sixth Inning – Southwest's bats came alive late, pushing across three crucial runs to take the lead.
- Miller's Solo Shot – A powerful home run in the fifth kept momentum on Southwest's side.
- Shutdown Relief Pitching – The bullpen held Wayland Baptist scoreless after the fourth inning.
Coaches Thoughts
I was happy the guys played hard in game 4 to salvage the split overall this weekend. They ultimately found a way to win the series against a good hitting Wayland team and I think we played well as a family all weekend. The guys understand that we have faced better competition this year and things aren't always going to go our way. Even in game 3, the guys battled, but things just didn't go our way.
We had some arms step up this weekend and I think they are headed in the right direction. We know that if we compete and throw strikes, we can stay in any game as our hitters have stepped up in some clutch situations this year.
It was our first road test and a good test before we hit the road for our first conference series against a very good UHV team. We will take the next couple of days off and get ready to get back to work Monday.
