T-Bird (BB) Splits Versus Frank on Saturday

The Thunderbirds split the Saturday series 1-1 losing the first game 6-5 and winning Game 2 by a score of 14-7.

Game 1

Frank Phillips walked it off for the Plainsmen in Game 1 with a double to secure a 6-5 win over the Thunderbirds. The Game 1 loss is the first conference defeat of the season for NMJC.

Frank Phillips opened up the scoring with four runs across in the bottom of the second to make it 4-0. Jeter Battles scored on a throwing error to put NMJC on the board in the third down 4-1.

NMJC added two runs in the fifth with a solo homer from Talan Barraza and a Lachlan Maude RBI single to center that brought the deficit to 4-3. 

The Plainsmen tacked on a run in the sixth to grow the advantage to 5-3. NMJC tied up the game in the seventh with a 2-run home run by Julius Ramirez. NMJC loaded the bases with two outs, but a Barraza strikeout ended the threat. 

Frank Phillips' Homero Munzoz came up to bat with a man on and hit an RBI double to walk things off for the Plainsmen in the seventh.

Julius Ramirez was 2-for-4 with a 2-run homer, a double, and two RBIs. Center fielder Casen Savage was 1-for-1.

Donovan Becerra started on the mound going five innings allowing four hits and four earned while striking out four batters and walking five. Brandon Stewart came in relief going 1.2 innings allowing two earned on four hits.

The T-Birds ended Game 1 with nine hits.

Game 2

The Thunderbirds rallied from a 5-0 deficit to defeat Frank Phillips 14-7 in Game 2.

NMJC surrendered one run in the first and four runs in the second to fall behind 5-0 after two innings of play. NMJC drew three walks to start the third inning, loading the bases. An RBI single by Lane Arroyos, a sac fly by Travis Vlasek, and a bases load walk by Talan Barraza made the score 5-3. The T-Birds drew five walks in the inning.

NMJC scored on a fielder's choice to add another run in the fourth. The T-Birds opened with three straight singles in the fifth followed by a double from Barraza that scored two runs. Callum Donnelly scored on a fielder's choice, and NMJC added the fourth run of the inning on a sac fly from Julius Ramirez which put the T-Birds in front 8-5.

Jesus Mejias smashed a 2-run homer in the top of the sixth to push the lead to 10-5. Frank added two runs in the bottom of the eighth which made the score 10-7 T-Birds.

Ramirez launched a 2-run home run in the top of the ninth and Donnelly drove in two more runs on a double to left as NMJC put up four runs in the ninth to win by a score of 14-7.

Left fielder Jeter Battles was 2-for-5 with a walk. DH Julius Ramirez was 1-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs scored. Third baseman Jesus Mejias was 2-for-6 with three runs scored and two RBIs. 

First baseman Lane Arroyos went 2-for-5 with an RBI and a run scored. Shortstop Talan Barraza went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and two walks.

Justin Nicks started the game going three innings allowing six hits and five earned runs. Dominick Maese picked up the win striking out eight batters in six innings of relief work allowing two hits and one earned. 

The T-Birds ended Game 2 with 14 hits and one error.