T-Birds Go 2-0 Versus Amarillo on Friday
The Thunderbirds won their fifth straight game today in a five inning 11-1 run-rule win over the Amarillo College Badgers.
EJ Miramontes struck out eight batters in a complete game one-hitter where he allowed one earned run across five innings. The left-handed pitcher is 5-0 on the year and has a 2.60 ERA in 45 innings of work.
The T-Birds scored one run in the top of the first inning after a line drive single by Josh Pearl scored Dylan Jasso. NMJC plated seven runners across in the third with three being driven in following a three-run jack by Brent Iredale.
The Thunderbirds scored three more runs in the bottom of the third inning to take an 11-0 lead. The Badgers scored their lone run of the game on a wild pitch in the top of the fourth.
Second baseman Aaron Lugo was 3-for-4 on the day with a double, two runs scored, one RBI. Shortstop Brent Iredale went 2-3 from the plate with three RBIs, one homer, and two runs scored. Center fielder John David Moreno scored two runs and recorded two hits in the 11-1 win over the Badgers.
The Thunderbirds finished the game with 11 hits.
The T-Birds are in first place in the WJCAC with a three-game lead over second place Amarillo. NMJC improves to 27-9 (14-3) on the season.
Game 2
The Thunderbirds continued their impressive play with their sixth straight win in a 6-2 victory over Amarillo College in Game 2 on Friday evening. Erick Ballenilla propelled the T-Birds to the win with a grand slam in the bottom of the sixth.
Robert Bonilla earned the win for the T-Birds striking out five batters over five innings, while allowing one earned run and three hits. Bonilla is 2-0 on the year.
The T-Birds trailed 1-0 as they entered the bottom of the fifth inning. The offense exploded in the fifth with all six of their runs coming in the inning.
The T-Birds led 6-1 headed into the top of the sixth when Josh Pearl came in relief of Bonilla. Pearl secured a groundout to start the inning, but then walked three straight batters to load the bases. The sophomore bounced back by getting the second out due to a sacrifice fly and the third out via a pop out. The Badgers brough one across in the sixth make the score 6-2, which proved to be the final difference.
Ballenilla led the way for the Thunderbirds going 2-for-4 with four RBIs in the contest. John David Moreno went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Rafael Gross also went 2-for-4 with a run scored plus an RBI.
The T-Birds are in first place with a three-game lead over second place Midland College. NMJC improves to 28-9 (15-3) on the season and sits in first place in WJCAC.
