NMJC (BB) Falls to Weatherford in Game 1 of Region V Tournament

The T-Birds fell 3-1 to No. 3 Weatherford College in Game 1 of the second round of the Region V Tournament on Thursday, May 15.

NMJC will move to the loser's bracket and face Odessa College in an elimination game Friday, May 16 at 11 a.m. CDT in Odessa, Texas.

Thursday was a pitcher duel between Brayan Orrantia and Weatherford's Evan Brandt.

The pair did not surrender a run in the first four innings with Orrantia giving up just two hits. 

Center fielder Casen Savage tripled to lead off the top of the fifth inning for the T-Birds. Talan Barraza grounded out to second base, scoring Savage from third as NMJC took a 1-0. 

Controversy ensued in the bottom of the sixth inning. Weatherford put two runners on base following a walk and a hit-by-pitch. The Coyotes Manuel Salas came to bat with two outs and hit a home run into left field to take a commanding 3-1 lead. Well, was it a home run? The announcer for TSBN sports believed it was foul, and NMJC baseball head Coach Michael Robbins vehemently agreed with that sentiment. However, no discussion or overturn was made, and the Coyotes stole a 3-1 lead. 

NMJC had their chances down the stretch. Savage hit his second triple of the game in the seventh, but the Thundebirds went on to strand two runners on base. Two more runners reached base in the top of the eighth via a hit-by-pitch and a walk. Catcher Lachlan Maude came up to bat and was struck out to end the threat and leave two more runners on base.

The T-Birds loaded the bases in the ninth with a single by Barraza with one out, a one-out walk by Reluz, and a two-out walk by Jeter Battles that brought out the big hitter Julius Ramirez. Ramirez worked the count to 2-2 but a check swing on a low pitch was called swinging by the first base umpire and ended the game 3-1 in favor of Weatherford. 

Talan Barraza drove in the only run of the day for NMJC. Casen Savage was 2-for-4 with two triples and a run scored. DH Julius Ramirez went 2-for-5 with a double.

Starting pitcher Brayan Orrantia threw 6 2/3 innings allowing four hits, three earned runs, and striking out five batters. Orrantia drops to 12-3 on the year. Dominick Maese came in relief going 1 1/3 innings allowing no hits. 

NMJC will switch focus to the Odessa College Wranglers who were run ruled 13-5 in Game 2 by McLennan CC. The T-Birds have played Odessa College more times than any other team this season as they have a 2-3 record.

NMJC won a non-conference game against Odessa at Wrangler Ballpark 10-2 on Feb. 24. They played a 4-game series to cap off the regular season May 1-2 falling 11-5 and 9-1 in Odessa. NMJC split the Hobbs doubleheader winning 8-2 and then losing Game 4 by a score of 11-8.

McLennan CC and Weatherford will play to see who heads to the championship game following NMJC's Game 3 at 2 p.m. CDT.

Fans can find the tournament bracket here.

The winner this week will be crowned the Region V Champs and Southwest District Champions as they will represent Region V at the NJCAA DI College Baseball World Series. The 10-team tournament runs May 24-31 at Sam Suplizio Field in Grand Junction, Colo.

Fans can watch Friday morning's game against Odessa on TSBN sports by clicking here.

The Thunderbirds face Odessa College in an elimination game Friday, May 16 at 11 a.m. CDT in Odessa, Texas.