The Mustang

Issue date: 2/26/04 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Kristen Wilson Angela Slaugh was dominant in action vs. Eastern New Mexico University

After a disappointing start to the season, the Mustangs have come back with a vengeance. After losing their first four games of the season against a tough Dominguez Hills team, the Mustangs have won their last eight straight against Highlands and Eastern New Mexico.

After having games against Adams State cancelled, the Mustangs almost had another series cancelled due to the bad weather in Las Vegas. However, the game was moved to the safety of the Mustangs' home turf. The first of the four game series saw the home opener of Senior Angela Slaugh and she would not disappoint the rowdy home crowd. Slaugh pitched her first no-hitter of the season, striking out an amazing 22 Cowgirls throughout her full game of work.

Slaugh pitched in all four games against the Cowgirls, with Julie Wooten coming in for 1.2 innings of relief. Slaugh faced nearly 150 batters in the four-game series and pitched three shutouts, with help from an outstanding defense behind her.

Another factor was the hitting of the Mustangs. Earlier in the season the bats were slow against Dominguez Hills, but that same potent offense and tenacious defense that won two straight PacWest titles came back to the Mustangs. Senior Bethany Harris was impressive in the sweep over Highlands, showing senior leadership and adding key contributions in all four wins.

Other contributions came from Jessica Garcia, Kyle Hicok, and Meredith Drahota, who all added key runs to the Mustangs' victories. The play of the new team members truly displayed just how dominate Western will be throughout the year.

After coming off four wins against Highlands, Western faced a tougher Eastern New Mexico team. Slaugh started the first game for the Mustangs, but it was Western's Defense that won the contest. Slaugh only gave up three hits to Eastern, though the Mustangs could only muster four themselves. The fifth inning was the deciding inning of the game, as Western scored two unearned runs to win the game. Key hits contributed by Hicok, Garcia, and Drahota again put the Mustangs on top.

The second game of the double header saw Megan Gross start on the mound, and she put in an impressive six innings of work, only giving up three runs to Eastern. The first inning proved to be decisive, with the Mustangs putting up five runs and batting through the order. Jessica Garcia was hit by a pitch in her first at bat, and then Stephanie Kirkpatrick started off the inning with a single, and Rachel Stahle advanced the two runners with a sacrifice. Then Harris singled and stole second to advance Garcia home. Later in the inning, Danielle Harmon crushed a double to score two Mustangs runners, and Drahota finished with a single to bring in another run.

The rest of the game was all Gross, who got into a little trouble in the second and third innings, but eventually overpowered Eastern. Slaugh came in for relief in the seventh, and finished off Gross's first win of the season.

The Mustangs steamrolled ENMU the next day, winning both games and improving to a record of 8-4 on the season. These two series at home really gave the Mustangs back their confidence, and the 'Stangs are now playing some of the best softball of the season. The team will travel to participate in the Lead Off Classic next, with their next home games coming on March 12-13 against Montana State.

Pictures from the ENMU Contest

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