Hobbs, NM. - The Mustangs split with the Pilots of LSU-Shreveport, losing the first game of the double header 9-0, followed by a game two walk off victory that capped off a six run ninth inning for a 10-9 win.

Game one starter, Ernesto Torres, only allowed two hits in the first two innings. The Pilots offense took off in the third inning, putting up three runs. LSU-Shreveport's starting pitcher threw a complete shutout with allowing only six hits.

The Mustang offense was led by junior shortstop Carlos Rodriguez and sophomore left fielder Nathan Paz. Each of the two Mustangs went 2 for 3 at the plate while Josh Cappello and Ysidoro Reyna both had a hit a piece. Ernest Torres (0-4) got the loss for the USW going 5 2/3 innings and giving up 9 runs, 8 earned, on 13 hits.

The weather played a big role late in Game two. Mustang starter Andy Henning went a solid 5 1/3 innings giving up 7 runs, 6 of which were earned on 9 hits in his third start of the season. The Pilots built an 8-0 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth. Ysidoro Reyna doubled in the inning to score Derelle Owens, who led the inning off with a single. Clinton Graham entered the game and threw 3 2/3 innings, with only allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs and struck out 4.

In the bottom of the eighth the wind picked up to gusts of 40 mph and temperatures dropped twenty degrees. While the Mustangs are used to this type of weather, the Pilots of Shreveport were a little shocked.

Ysidoro Reyna led off the bottom of the eighth with mishandled ball by the Pilot third baseman. A double by Carlos Rodriguez brought Reyna in. Another Mustang reached with a single by Brayden Branson and a ground ball by Eric Alvarez advanced both runners. With one out and two men on, Bryan Hernandez hit what seemed to be a routine fly ball to right field but the wind took it and ended up by the wall scoring two.

Trailing 9-4 in the ninth, USW's Derelle Owens hit a single leadoff homerun to bring the Mustang deficit to 9-5. The Mustangs had bases loaded with pinch hitter, Eric Alvarez at the plate. Alvarez, a sophomore from Lubbock, TX, tied the game on the first pitch with a grand slam. With two outs, Senior Micah Martinez hit a ball to left field and the wind carried it over the fence for a game winning home run. The walk-off homer makes Martinez's third on the year.

Ysidoro Reyna led the Mustang offense going 3 for 5. Carlos Rodriguez and Derelle Owens each had two hits. Joshua Cappello, Brayden Branson, Eric Alvarez, Bryan Hernandez, and Micah Martinez each had a hit on the day. Clinton Graham picked up the win for the Mustangs and the first of his career in his sixth appearance on the season.

This win brings the Mustangs record to 6-15, 3-6 in RRAC play. The Mustangs play game three in the series at J.O. Williams Field at noon on Saturday, March 3.