NMJC (BB) Opens 2025 Season 2-0

The T-Birds began the season with two wins over Northeastern JC. NMJC outscored the Plainsmen 32-5 over the two-game span on Friday, Jan. 24.

Game 1

Casen Savage was huge in Game 1 for the Thunderbirds on Opening Day going 2-for-4 with two homers as the T-Birds defeated Northeastern JC 15-5.

Donovan Becerra earned the start to open the season for the T-Birds. Becerra gave up two runs in the top of the first but settled down in the second to finish his stat line at two innings pitched with four strikeouts.

Designated hitter Julius Ramirez tied the score up at two apiece with a 2-run shot to left field in the first inning. The Thunderbirds took the lead back for good with a fielder's choice that scored Lane Arroyos to make the score 3-2 at the end of the first inning. The T-Birds extended the lead in the second with a 2-run shot by center fielder Casen Savage.

The T-Birds exploded for seven runs in the fourth inning. Travis Vlasek and Lucian Dixon both doubled with each player recording two RBIs in their respective at bats. Shortstop Talan Barraza capped the seven-run onslaught with a 2-run homer to make the score 12-2.

Northeastern JC scored three runs off reliever Brandon Stewart in the top of the fifth. Savage hit another 2-run home run in the top of the fifth that scored Luis Urias and made the score 15-4. The game ended in a run rule following a fielder's choice to second that scored Ramirez.   

Brayan Orrantia came in relief of Becerra, who earned the win, to throw two shutout innings while striking out three batters. Center fielder Casen Savage ended the game going 2-for-4 with two homers and five RBIs

DH Julius Ramirez was 3-for-3 with two RBIs. Second baseman Luis Urias went 3-for-3 with four runs scored. 

The Thunderbirds finished with 14 hits with 11 of the 14 being extra base hits. 

Game 2

The T-Birds trounced the Plainsmen 17-0 in five innings during the second game of the doubleheader Friday.

Another game, another batter to record two homers for the T-Birds. Julius Ramirez hit a 2-run shot in the bottom of the first and a solo homer in the third. The DH went 3-for-3 with five RBIs and three runs scored.

The T-Birds scored two runs in the first, nine runs in the second, and six runs in the third inning on their way to a second straight run-rule victory.

Starting pitcher Cade Smith earned the win on the mound for the T-Birds allowing one hit in two innings of play. Dominick Maese came in relief and threw two scoreless, Justin Nicks was the final T-Bird on the mound as he pitched one scoreless inning. The three pitchers each allowed one hit in the game.

Third baseman Jesus Mejias went 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored. Shortstop Talan Barraza batted 2-for-3 as well with a double and a 2-run home run.

Left fielder Travis Vlasek recorded two hits, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Catcher Lachlan Maude registered a double with two RBIs and two runs scored in the 17-run win.  

The Thunderbirds ended the game with 14 hits in 26 at bats with 11 extra base hits. The T-Birds are 2-0 to start the 2025 season.