T-Bird Baseball returns home after a full weekend
NEWS-SUN STAFF REPORT
March 1, 2020
The New Mexico Junior College baseball team overcame bad pitching and three errors to pick up a win Friday as the Thunderbirds beat Ranger College 10-8.
Heading into the eighth, NMJC (4-10) led 7-5, but the T-Birds' pitching staff was unable to hold the lead and let Ranger tie the game. However, NMJC was able to score three runs in the top of the ninth, while giving up only one run in the bottom of the frame, to squeak out the victory.
The T-Birds took the early lead, scoring once in the top of the first and again in the top of the fourth, but the lead quickly evaporated in the bottom of the fifth when Ranger College scored twice to knot the game at 2-all.
New Mexico Junior College exploded for five runs in the top of the six, and retaking the lead at 7-2. But, once again, Ranger College came back aggressive, scoring three times in the bottom of the third, cutting the T-Birds lead to 7-5.
Once again, the lead wasn't safe as Ranger College was able to tie the game thanks to some pitching and errors in the bottom of the eighth.
The T-Birds had 11 hits in the game, four that went for extra bases. Adrian Torres was 3-for-5 with a double, a run scored and two runs batted in while Ben Malgeri was 2-for-3 with a double, a home run, two runs scored and two RBI. Madjik Mackenzie also had a double for the T-Birds.
Erick Martinez drove in two runs with one hit while Zac Vooletich also had an RBI and a single for NMJC. Carlos Contreras walked three times and stole a base.
Ty Ringo got the start on the mound for NMJC and pitched the first 5.2 innings. Ringo allowed all five runs, though only three were earned. He allowed four hits, walked four, and struck out four. Mackenzie got the final out of the sixth inning and worked a scoreless seventh before being charged with two runs in the eighth when the T-Bird relievers allowed a pair of inherited runners to score. Mackenzie allowed three hits and walked two while striking out one.
Pacheco faced two batters, failing to retire either of them. He allowed the first to reach on an grounder that went for an error, and scored a pair of runs, and then walked the next guy, prompting Durham to make another pitching change. With Pacheco out, Justin Butz was brought in. Butz was able to end the damage and get the T-Birds out back in the dugout thanks to a runner getting thrown out trying to steal third and then Butz followed with a strikeout to end the inning.
Butz allowed one run on one hit and a walk in the ninth while striking out the side to pick up the win.
The team was swept by McLennan Community College Saturday.
In the opener, the T-Birds were routed, falling 12-0 in six innings. McLennan College scored once in the first and second innings and plated two more in the fourth. Then, in the six, McLennan scored eight times, ending the game.
New Mexico Junior College managed just two hits, a double from Angel Andrades and a single to Zac Vooletich.
Jairo Vasquez pitched the first five innings, allowing five hits and walking three while striking out seven. Vasquez gave up four runs, only three of which were earned.
Angel Hernandez was charged with four runs and took the loss. He faced four batters, walking two and giving up two hits, while failing to record an out. Bobby Clinche also faced four batters, and had the same results as Hernandez, walking two and giving up two hits, including the game-ending home run, with four runs.
The T-Birds got on the board in the nightcap, but the outcome was still the same, a loss. NMJC lost 12-2.
McLennan put NMJC in a 3-0 hole in the second. The T-Birds got one run back in the third, but gave up three more in the bottom of the frame. NMJC scored again in the fourth, but that was the last run the T-Birds would get. McLennan score again in the bottom of the frame and pushed five more runs across in the fifth, ending the game.
The T-Birds had three hits in the game, a triple from Ollie Thompson and double from Ben Malgeri along with a single from Adrian Torres. Carlos Contreras drove in one run while Angel Presinal had the other RBI.
Pablo Suarez started the game and took the loss. Suarez allowed seven runs, six earned, on seven hits with four strikeouts. Daelen Caraway closed out the game, allowing five runs on two hits and two walks with five strikeouts.
Next up for the T-Birds is road trip to El Paso where NMJC will start Western Junior College Athletic Conference play on Friday.