T-Birds win a pair of slugfests against NMMI

ROSWELL, N.M. The New Mexico Junior College baseball team won a pair of high-scoring affairs on Tuesday to remain in first in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference, beating New Mexico Military Institute 25-10 and 16-12 in Roswell.

In the first game the Thunderbirds (29-12, 17-5) scored 18 runs in the final two innings to rally from a 10-7 deficit.

NMJC clubbed six home runs in the game, led by Branden Grieger who hit two while going 2-for-5 with four RBI and three runs.

Luis Pintor was 4-for-6 with a home run and five RBI, Jeff Deimling was 4-for-6 with a home run and three RBI while Austin Botello and Jacy Cave also added home runs.

Trenton Rousseau got the win for NMJC, going 1 1/3 inning and giving up one unearned run on one hit with two strikeouts.

In the second game, NMJC gave up a four-run lead in the ninth to NMMI (16-24, 9-13) to have the game go to extras before the T-Birds scored four in the 10th ignited by a Pintor triple to start the frame.

Travon Benton and Deimling each finished a double short of the cycle for NMJC, both going 4-for-6 with a home run, triple and four RBI. Cave went 3-for-6 with a double and RBI.

Brett Worthen got the win in relief in game two, going two innings and giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits with three strikeouts and one walk.

The teams complete the four-game series noon Saturday at Ray Birmingham Thunderbird Field in Hobbs.