T-Bird (BSB) Upends Cougars on Friday

The Thunderbirds swept Western Nebraska CC on Friday, Feb. 13 outscoring the Cougars 24-10 over the two games.

Game 1

The T-Birds run ruled the Cougars in five innings 13-3 in Game 1. 

NMJC fell behind 1-0 after the first inning of play. Then in the second inning they scored seven runs highlighted by a Casen Savage grand slam. 

The Thunderbirds put up a five spot in the fourth inning behind an RBI single by Jeter Battles, a 2-run double by Casen Savage, and a 2-run homer by Mehki Brewer. NMJC led 12-1 after four innings.

The T-Birds gave up two runs in the top of the fifth, but Jeter Battles blasted a solo shot into left field to end the game 13-3 via run rule.    

Second baseman Jeter Battles was 3-for-4 with a homer, three RBIs, and three runs scored. Casen Savage had a big day for the T-Birds with a grand slam and a double. The center fielder finished with six RBIs and two runs scored in the run-rule win. Mehki Brewer was the third T-Birds with a homer in the game going 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two runs scored. 

Sergio Lugo started on the mound for NMJC earning his first win of the season. The right-hander threw four innings allowing four hits and one earned run while striking out eight batters. Nolan Melms came in relief and pitched one inning, allowing two earned.  

NMJC registered 10 hits in the Game 1 win.   

Game 2

The Thunderbirds brought out the big bats hitting three home runs for the second consecutive game in the 11-7 win over Western Nebraska CC. 

Casen Savage put the T-Birds on the board in the first with a 2-run shot to left center. The T-Birds tacked on two more runs in the second inning via a solo shot from Jesus Mejias and an RBI single by Jeter Battles. 

NMJC surrendered three runs in the top of the third inning but an RBI double by Savage and a 2-run homer by Callan Warren evened out the inning and gave the T-Birds a 7-3 lead. WNCC put up four runs over the next three innings while NMJC scored two runs in the fifth. The Thunderbirds led 9-7 after six innings of play. 

The T-Birds added two insurance runs in the eighth and closed the game in the ninth with a 11-7 win over Western Nebraska CC. 

Center fielder Casen Savage went 3-for-4 on the day with a double, triple, and a homer. Savage was one single away from the cycle and drove in three runs. First baseman Jesus Mejias finished Game 2 going 3-for-4 with a double and a solo homer. 

DH Callan Warren went 3-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, and two walks.     

Starting pitcher Brandon Stewart earned the win throwing 3.2 innings allowing six hits, four earned runs, and striking out six batters.   

The T-Birds recorded 13 hits during Game 2 and improve to 4-5 on the year.