ODESSA, Texas — The University of the Southwest softball team dropped both games of a non-conference midweek doubleheader on Wednesday afternoon at UTPB Softball Park, falling 9–2 and 14–0 to Texas Permian Basin.

Game 1: Texas Permian Basin 9, Southwest 2

Southwest battled throughout the opener but could not overcome the Falcons' strong offensive showing, which pulled away late for a 9–2 victory.

After falling behind early, the Mustangs broke through in the top of the fifth inning. Danali Garces doubled to right-center to drive in Southwest's first run of the game, and Yesenia Rodriguez followed with an RBI single to right field to bring the Mustangs within two runs at 4–2.

Hannah Campos led Southwest at the plate, going 2-for-3, while Garces and Rodriguez each recorded an RBI. Cali Saldana pitched a complete game for the Mustangs, working six innings in the circle.

UTPB responded with two runs in the bottom of the fifth and added three more in the sixth to secure the win. 

Game 2: Texas Permian Basin 14, Southwest 0 (5 innings)

The Falcons used big innings early in the nightcap, scoring four runs in the first and eight in the second, to claim a 14–0 run-rule victory in five innings.

Southwest collected five hits in the game, with Hannah Campos and Yesenia Rodriguez each finishing 2-for-2. The Mustangs put runners on base in multiple innings and closed the game with a two-hit fifth inning before time expired.

Jazmynn Hernandez started in the circle for Southwest, with Sophia Jimenez providing 2.2 innings of relief and recording the team's lone strikeout of the contest. 

Head Coach Chris Petroski
"We were able to put some runs on the board in the fifth inning of game one, which felt good to get something started. We struggled early in the circle right away in the second game and dug a hole we couldn't get out of."

Southwest will return to action this weekend as the Mustangs resume conference play Friday at Texas College.