T-Birds split with Bulldogs, again

Hobbs News Sun  February 25, 2018

For the second straight day, the New Mexico Junior College baseball team split with Navarro College. The Thunderbirds were routed 15-2 in the opener and then won the nightcap in convincing fashion, 9-1.

With the split, NMJC is now 9-4 on the season. The T-Birds will be back on the diamond Friday when they head to Weatherford for a doubleheader. Play begins at 2 p.m.

After scoring in the top of the first, Navarro College scored seven runs in each of the second and fifth innings. NMJC scored once in the third and fourth.

The T-Birds had five hits in the game. Jacob Cubillos scored a run and had the only extra-base hit, a double. Andrew Caliendo also scored a run. Joaquin Ballesteros and Soterio Ramirez each had an RBI.

Carlos Ortiz started the game and took the loss. Ortiz allowed six hits and three walks in four innings of work. Ten runs scored while Ortiz was on the mound, though only five were earned. Ty Stephenson pitched the final inning, allowing five runs on four hits and two walks.

In the second game, the Bulldogs again scored first, but this time the T-Birds tied the game in the bottom of the frame. NMJC the scored twice in the second and fourth while pushing one run across in the fifth and three more in the sixth.

New Mexico Junior College collected 10 hits, six which were for extra-bases. Joab Gonzalez was 3-for-3 with a double, a home run, three runs scored, and three RBI. Ryan Rijo and Daniel Hernandez each had two hits. Rijo homered while Hernandez had two doubles. Cubillos also had a double.

Tristan Stivors started the game and went six innings for the win. Stivors gave up just one hit, but also walked four while striking out five. Cameron Smith pitched the final inning, facing four batters and walking one.