T-Bird (BB) Defeats Grayson in Game 2, Advances to Southwest District Championship in Odessa

The NMJC baseball team advanced to the NJCAA Baseball Southwest District Championship in Odessa, Texas with a 9-1 win over Grayson College on Friday, May 9.

The four-team Region V Tournament consists of Odessa College, Weatherford College, NMJC, and McLennan CC. 

The T-Birds are set to face Weatherford College in the opening game on Thursday, May 15 at 11 a.m. CDT. Odessa will play McLennan CC following Game 1 at 2 p.m. CDT.

The double-elimination tournament will continue on Friday, May 16 with the loser's bracket game at 11 a.m. CDT and the winner's bracket game at 2 p.m. CDT. Saturday starts with the remaining two teams in the loser's bracket facing each other at 11 a.m. CDT for a chance to play in the championship at 2 p.m. CDT.

The if necessary game on Sunday would happen if the remaining undefeated team lost to the winner of the loser's bracket. The Sunday championship start time is TBA. Fans can find the bracket here.

Grayson Game 2 Recap

Center fielder Casen Savage put the T-Birds on the board over Grayson in the bottom of the second inning with a 2-run shot to right center. NMJC was in a jam in the fifth inning when starting pitcher Ricardo Rojas walked three batters to load the bases with one out. A line drive to center and a fly out were both snagged by Savage to end the threat and keep Grayson trailing 2-0. 

The T-Birds started the bottom of the fifth with singles from Omar Reluz and Travis Vlasek. A bunt by Luis Urias advanced the runners to second and third. Left fielder Jeter Battles came up to the plate and knocked in both runners with a double into left center. NMJC ended the fifth up 4-0. 

Rojas surrendered his only run of the afternoon in the sixth inning on an RBI single into right field to cut the lead to 4-1.

First baseman Lane Arroyos doubled down the right field line and shortstop Talan Barraza hit a single to right to put the first two runners aboard in the bottom of the sixth. Arroyos would score from third on a wild pitch and Barraza scored on an RBI single to left by Urias. The T-Birds ended the sixth ahead 6-1. 

NMJC added a run in the seventh when catcher Jorge De Los Santos scored on a passed ball after reaching base via a leadoff walk. The T-Bird entered the eighth ahead 7-1 with Dominick Maese coming in relief of Ricardo Rojas. 

Maese loaded the bases with two out due to a hit by pitch and two walks. The freshman right hander ended the bases loaded threat with a strikeout. 

In the bottom of the eighth, NMJC needed just two runs to run rule the Vikings. The Thunderbirds loaded the bases with one out after a single, an infield error, and a hit by pitch. Right fielder Travis Vlasek scored on a wild pitch and DH Julius Ramirez ended the game 9-1 with an RBI single into left center that scored Urias.  

Starting pitcher Ricardo Rojas was stellar going seven innings allowing one earned run and just four hits. Dominick Maese threw one inning of relief recording no runs, no hits, and one strikeout.   

Left fielder Jeter Battles was 1-for-2 with two RBIs, a double, a walk, and a hit by pitch. Third baseman Omar Reluz went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Right fielder Travis Vlasek was 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a walk.

Center fielder Casen Savage's only hit of the day was a 2-run home run. First baseman Lane Arroyos was 1-for-3 with a double, a walk, and two runs scored. Second baseman Luis Urias batted 1-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

NMJC 39-18 (27-9) continues their season at the NJCAA Baseball Southwest District Championship against Weatherford College on Thursday, May 15 at 11 a.m. CDT. The game will be streamed live on TSBN sports.