Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
After defeating Sandia Prep on the road in extra innings last weekend, the New Mexico Military Institute Colt baseball team has been peaking at the right time.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Colts made quick work of the Tucumcari Rattlers 18-0 in five innings during their final District 4/5-3A game at NMMI Ballpark.
With two games left on the regular season schedule, the Colts are just preparing for the bigger picture, and that is the state playoffs.
“Kids played well. This is just getting us ready for what this is all about. These kids are starting to believe,” said NMMI head coach Charlie Ward.
NMMI took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first. A one-out triple by Gentry Caplan was followed up by an RBI ground out from Jose Barcelo.
The Colts had eight hits and took advantage of five walks to put together a 10-run rally in the second inning to increase their lead to 11-0.
Luis C. Patron hit a two RBI triple to start the big inning. Sergio Gonzales later hit a sacrifice fly to left to plate in a run.
NMMI then got a run across the plate on an error by the right fielder. Miguel Rivera then came up with the bases-clearing three RBI triple to center.
Luis A. Patron added to the inning with an RBI double. Luis C. Patron and Bailey Mego finished off the rally by driving in a pair of runs on two singles.
With the no-hitter still intact for Rivera heading into the top of the third, the Rattlers got their first hit that came in the form of a double by Samuel Lopez.
Tucumcari was unable to create a rally out of the extra-base hit as the next three batters were retired in order.
NMMI pushed across seven more runs in the bottom of the third.
The Colts started off the inning with back to back triples. Rivera hit an RBI three-bagger. Luis A. Patron then drove in Gael Garza with a single.
An error by the centerfielder allowed two runs to score while Gonzales came away with an RBI single.
The 18th run came after Rivera was hit by pitch with the bases loaded.
NMMI out hit the Rattlers 16-1.
Rivera finished 2 for 3 with two triples and five RBI while Luis A. Patron went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double and two RBI.
Luis C. Patron tallied two singles, a triple and three RBI to go 3 for 4. Bailey Mego finished 3 for 3 with three singles and an RBI.
Barcelo added with a 2 for 3 performance that included a single, triple and an RBI. Barcelo is batting a team-high .541 with an 18-game hitting streak.
Rivera started on the mound, tossing four innings with seven strikeouts to improve to 3-0. Mego threw the final inning as he struck out the side in order.
“We’re excited about the opportunities in front of us come playoffs, but we still have two more games and we got to respect our opponent Texico,” Ward added.
>> UP NEXT: NMMI travels to Texico on Saturday for the regular season finale doubleheader. First pitch is at 11 a.m.
NMMI 18, Tucumcari 0 (5)
TUCU….00000 — 0 1 5
NMMI….1(10)70x— 18 16 0
Johnathan Blea, Josh Griego (4). Miguel Rivera, Bailey Mego (5). W — Rivera. L — Blea. 2B — Tucumcari: Samuel Lopez. NMMI: Luis A. Patron. 3B — NMMI: Luis C. Patron, Jose Barcelo, Miguel Rivera (2), Gentry Caplan. HR — None.
Records — Tucumcari (1-18, 0-11); NMMI (18-6, 8-4).