T-Birds beat Howard again

The New Mexico Junior College baseball team beat Howard College 14-9 Tuesday afternoon during a mid-week, non-conference tilt.

The Thunderbirds took a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first and while Howard battled back, NMJC never lost the lead.

New Mexico Junior College pushed its lead to 5-0 in the second before Howard scored once in the third and twice in the sixth, cutting the T-Birds lead to 5-3. While NMJC came right back with five runs in the bottom of the sixth to seal the win, it still wasn't over. Howard scored three in the seventh, and NMJC answered right back with three of its own. The Hawks scored twice in the eight while NMJC scored once before Howard scored tis final run in the top of the ninth.

Carlos Payano had the T-Birds' only home run while Soterio Ramirez had a double and Rody Barker tripled. Carlos Contreras, Joab Gonzalez, and Zac Vooletich each drove in three. Contreras and Payano each scored three times.

Anthony Chavez start the game, but pitched just the first inning. Pablo Suarez pitched the next two innings, allowing on run on two hits and three strikeouts. Hobbs graduate David Ortega pitched the next three, giving up two runs on three hits, two of which were homers, and a walk while striking out three. Alan Calzada pitched next, allowing five runs, though only one was earned on two hits and a walk before Jacob Simms threw the final two innings, giving up one run on three hits and a walk with four strikeouts.

With the win, NMJC improves to 28-12 on the season. Next up for the T-Birds is a road trip to Clarendon College on Thursday and Friday.