T-Birds Star Against Howard on ESPN+

The NMJC baseball team played on ESPN+ this weekend in Big Spring, Texas against the Howard College Hawks. The Thunderbirds won in a come-from-behind victory 14-12. 

The T-Birds took a quick 3-0 lead through the first two innings. The Hawks responded with eight unanswered runs to grab an 8-3 lead. 

The Thunderbirds battled back, scoring three runs in the fourth to make the score 8-6. The Hawks tacked on another run in the fifth to extend their lead to three runs, 9-6. Brent Iredale smashed a 2-run homer in the sixth to pull the T-Birds within one run, 9-8. 

John David Moreno doubled to center, scoring two runs in the top of the seventh to give the T-Birds their first lead, 10-9, since the second inning. Third baseman Dylan Jasso followed Moreno at bat with a 3-run homer to make the score 13-9. Aaron Lugo hit a solo shot with two outs to end the onslaught at six runs in the top of the seventh. 

The Hawks put three runs across in the final frame and fell short 14-12.

EJ Miramontes started the game for the T-Birds going two and a third innings allowing two earned runs on three hits.

Robert Bonilla came in relief for two and two third innings and gave up two earned runs on two hits. Colton Graham followed Bonilla on the mound for one inning and earned his third win of the season. 

Third baseman Dylan Jasso went 1-for-2 hitting a 3-run homerun, knocking in four, and adding two runs scored.

Second baseman Aaron Lugo finished with a triple, homer, two RBIs, and two runs scored. Shortstop Brent Iredale was 2-for-4 with a 2-run home run, three RBIs, and three runs scored.

Catcher Lorenzo Morresi hit a solo home run in the top of the fourth and finished with two runs scored. Right fielder Josh Pearl recorded two RBIs. Designated hitter Jesse Herrera had a double and two runs scored.  

The T-Birds have won 16-of-17 and are 38-10 (25-4) on the season.

Game 2

The Thunderbird baseball team rattled off 10 unanswered runs in the final two innings of play to run rule the Howard College Hawks 17-5 in seven innings.

Isaiah Arteaga had a rough go from the mound in Game 2. The freshman right-hander was only able to muster two-thirds of an inning and gave up two earned runs.

David Hankins allowed two earned runs in two and a third innings of relief work for the T-Birds. The sophomore pitcher earned his fourth win of the season. 

Freshman Erick Ballenilla hit a 3-run homer in the top of the fourth to give the T-Birds a 6-4 lead, which proved to be for good. Ballenilla went 5-for-5 hitting two home runs and three doubles. The left fielder finished with eight RBIs and four runs scored.  

Josh Pearl was the third pitcher off the mound for NMJC lasting four innings with no runs across. The Aussie finished with three strikeouts and recorded his first save of the season. 

Right fielder Rafael Gross was 3-for-3 with two solo home runs, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Second baseman Aaron Lugo went 3-for-3 with four runs scored and an RBI.

First baseman Luis Gonzalez hit a 2-run home run in the seventh and had two RBIs. 

Shortstop Brent Iredale was 2-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and three runs scored. Designated hitter Mark Henning finished with a double and an RBI. 

The Thunderbirds recorded five homers and seven doubles in the run-rule win. NMJC has won 17-of-18 and are 39-10 (26-4) on the season. 

The T-Birds will face Howard College Sunday, April 30 at 12 p.m. and 3 p.m. MDT in Hobbs, NM.