T-Birds Split Saturday Doubleheader with NMMI

Starting pitcher Landen Yorek struck out nine batters in six and two-thirds innings in the 4-3 loss to the NMMI Broncos. The freshman allowed three earned runs in the matchup and suffered his fourth loss of the season. Yorek leads the team in strikeouts this year with 67.

The T-Birds scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but it was too little too late as NMJC stranded the tying runner on base when Dylan Jasso grounded out to end the game. The loss snapped a season-long 14-game win streak for the Thunderbirds.

Right fielder Erick Ballenilla went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored. Catcher Luis Gonzalez was 2-for-2 with an RBI and a run scored. 

Center fielder John David Moreno finished the game with an RBI on a sacrifice fly in the ninth inning. Pinch hitter Lorenzo Morresi was 1-for-1 with an RBI.  

The T-Birds dropped their first contest since March 25 and are 36-10 (23-4) on the season. NMJC stays in the first place spot in the WJCAC despite the loss.

Game 4

Pinch hitter Mark Henning drove the ball to deep left field for the game-winning sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 10th inning to lift the T-Birds to victory in a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the NMMI Broncos.

The T-Birds trailed 4-3 headed into the bottom of the ninth inning. Erick Ballenilla was hit by a pitch and reached second on a passed ball. Then, a groundout by Luis Gonzalez moved Ballenilla to third base. Another wild pitch by the Broncos put the tying run across for the T-Birds with two out in the bottom of the ninth.  

Lorenzo Morresi tripled to begin the bottom of the 10th inning and with the next at bat Mark Henning drove him in on a sac fly to win the game. 

Isaiah Arteaga went three innings in the start for NMJC. The freshman allowed four hits, three earned runs, and struck out three. 

Sophomore Max Swenson struck out seven in relief and allowed one earned run in four innings of work. Paul Coppinger came in for two-thirds of an inning and struck out two batters to keep the game in check. The sophomore earned his second win of the season. 

Catcher Lorenzo Morresi was 3-for-4 with a triple and a run scored. Left fielder Erick Ballenilla went 1-for-4 with a double, two runs scored and an RBI. First baseman Luis Gonzalez finished the game with a double and an RBI.

NMJC is currently ranked No. 2 in the NJCAA in doubles with 140 and No. 5 in the NJCAA in homers with 77. The T-Birds moved up to No. 12 in the most recent NJCAA national rankings.

T-Birds have won 15-of-16 and are 37-10 (24-4) on the season. NMJC maintains their first place spot in the WJCAC and are three games ahead of second place Midland College. 

The Thunderbirds will face Howard College Saturday, April 29 at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. CDT in Big Spring, TX at Jack Barber Baseball Park. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN+.