Broncs win two close games vs. Colby for Sunday sweep

Adam Abeyta with the helmet bump at home plate after his second dinger in Game 2. Photo by Rene Aguilar.
Adam Abeyta with the helmet bump at home plate after his second dinger in Game 2. Photo by Rene Aguilar.

NMMI Sports Press

The NMMI bats broke forth on Sunday, scoring 19 runs on 19 hits - including two out-of-the-parkers by Adam Abeyta - allowing the Broncos to out-offense the Trojans in two games on Sunday, 11-8 and 8-7.

Head Bronco coach Chris Cook was a bit worried after Saturday's offensive effort, where NMMI split a pair of games with their competitors from Colby. "I'm pretty happy for the guys - we finally felt some offense happening, where we got the at bats and opportunities, especially late in the games, and we founds ways to get the win."

And that's exactly what happened in both games, as the Broncos went out front early and held solid leads, only to see a late Trojan rally tie things up late. 

In Game 1, it was 7-1 in NMMI's favor going into the top of the sixth. Starting pitch Ricky Royal held an awesome Colby batting order to just a pair of hits and a single run. But reliever Adrian Arpero gave up a seven-spot, forcing the Bronco bats to come through again to regain the lead.

They did exactly that, with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the stanza, started by a single with one out by Estevan De La O. Two walks, three singles and a Trojan error later put NMMI back on top, 11-8.

In Game 2, it was the top of the ninth where the wheels fell off for the Broncos.

NMMI second baseman Adam Abeyta helped keep the Broncos in front with a pair of home runs including a solo shot down the left-field line in the third, then a two-run crack two innings later to opposite field. 

But an Institute lead, 7-5, going into the top of the ninth couldn't hold, as Colby tied it up at sevens with a single and home run of their own.

After getting out of the inning otherwise unscathed, a confident NMMI offense worked on getting the walk-off win. They needed just two at-bats to do exactly that. Angel Colon lead off with a walk, then pinch-hitter Michel Hinojos - who went 5 for 10 with 5 RBIs in the series - hit the game-winner, a double off the center field wall to score Colon.

"We'll have an off day tomorrow," said coach Cook "then get ready for Otero this weekend. That will be an all-wood bat series."

With the 3-1 series effort vs. Colby, NMMI evens up their record to 4-4 on the season. The games vs. Otero are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 10-11, with Game 1 slated to start at 12:00 P.M. both days.