The West Mesa Mustangs will venture away from home to challenge the Los Lunas Tigers at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday. West Mesa has given up an average of 8.3 runs per game this season, but Tuesday's game will give them a chance to turn things around.
Things were looking good for West Mesa after they put the first run on the board on Friday, but unfortunately for them things went downhill from there. They lost 15-5 to Albuquerque. The loss continues a trend for the Mustangs in their meetings with the Bulldogs: they've now lost five in a row.
Ellie Padilla
| 04/18/25 @ Albuquerque | 1 |
| 04/15/25 vs Rio Grande | 3 |
| 04/14/25 @ Del Norte | 2 |
| 04/09/25 vs Albuquerque | 4 |
| 04/08/25 @ Atrisco Heritage Academy | 1 |
| + 2 more games |
Ellie Padilla made the most of her time at bat despite the final result and went 2-for-3 with one home run, two runs, and one stolen base. She is on a roll when it comes to stolen bases, as she's now snagged at least one in each of the last seven games she's played. The team also got some help courtesy of Trinity 'Toots' Bazan, who went 1-for-3 with one home run and two RBI.
Meanwhile, Los Lunas faced Albuquerque in a battle between two of the state's top teams last Friday. The Tigers put the hurt on the Bulldogs with a sharp 18-8 win. The Tigers might be getting used to big wins seeing as the team has won seven matchups by six runs or more this season.
Kelsie DeGraaf was a standout: she went a perfect 5-for-5 with three stolen bases, four runs, and three doubles. Those five hits gave her a new career-high. Another player making a difference was Natalie Madrid, who went a perfect 4-for-4 with four runs, three RBI, and one stolen base.
Los Lunas was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .585. They are a perfect 10-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
The victory was the third in a row for Los Lunas, bringing their record up to 14-6. Those wins came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 14.3 runs over those games. As for West Mesa, their defeat dropped their record down to 9-14.
Tuesday's game might come down to which pitcher can control the ball better. West Mesa has hit smart this season, having averaged an OBP of .536. However, it's not like Los Lunas struggles in that department as they've averaged .449. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance.
West Mesa came up short against Los Lunas when the teams last played two weeks ago, falling 10-5. Can the Mustangs avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.
