NMMI Sports Press
The NMMI Bronco Baseball team (6-4) opened up their second consecutive home series taking both games in Saturday's non-conference double header against Otero Junior College (0-2).
Otero started off the scoring in Game 1, thanks to a triple in the top of the fourth by former Bronco McCoy Pearce, which scored Mark Dominguez and Gaylan Young.
It didn't take long for NMMI to respond, however, as Grady Frost went deep after a single by Michel Hinojos. The two-run blast over the left-center fence tied the game 2-2.
The score remained knotted at two past the seven-inning scheduled stop. Neither team could manage any runs in the eighth, with NMMI relief pitcher David Chavez shutting down the Rattler offense in the last two innings.
NMMI got the walk-off win in the bottom of the ninth. Grady Frost, led off with a strike out, but was able to reach not only first but second base due to a wild pitch by Otero's Cody Sasser. Jesse Watson then came in to pinch run. The next pitch, Watson came in to score on a bunt by Paulo Rodriguez, thanks to a throwing error.
Sophomore pitcher Parker Bateman surrendered just two runs on four hits and one earned run in his no-decision start for the Broncos; Chavez got the win with two complete, allowing just one hit, no walks and four Ks.
In Game 2 , Otero once again started off the scoring, plating a trio of runs in second inning. The Rattlers led off with a single, followed with a double, and a sac fly, then cleared the bases on a two-run dinger by Bryer Rew.
NMMI closed to within one with a pair in the bottom half of the stanza. Luis Rivera led off with a double, Adam Abeyta walked, Gabriel Perez hit into a fielder's choice putting runners on the corner, Adrian Arpero struck out, then Watson hit a clutch two-out double to score both Rivera and Abeyta.
NMMI took the lead with the bottom of the fifth with a two-out rally. Cedric Reynaud got on via error, Bobby Galindo doubled putting runners at second and third and Jason Herrera tripled to right-center for a pair of RBIs.
The Broncos added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth with another two-out rally. Arpero walked, went to third on Watson's single, then came home on a pickle play ending with Otero's pitcher making a throwing error.
Up 5-3 going into the scheduled final top of the seventh, Institute closer Zack Gonzalez got the save with a pair of strikeouts and a pop-up to first.
NMMI G2 starter Matthew Marquez went 4.1 innings with no decision, giving up three runs, all earned, four Ks and 5 hits.
Reliever Gerry Lerma got the win in 1.2 innings, allowing no hits, and recording one K.
Hererra and Watson led the NMMI offense, both going 2 for 3 at the plate with two RBIs each.
"It's opening day for them and they hit some balls hard, but kind of right at some of our guys," said head Bronco coach Chris Cook. "We also tracked down some fly balls that would have been difference makers."
Cook thought that both teams pitched pretty well, he was happy with his teams' play on defense, but still wants his offense to improve.
"We've got to do a better job of hitting the ball harder, earlier in games, and take what the pitchers are giving us instead of being a little bit too stubborn," said the coach. "But we pitched well enough to win both games, and found a way to score a few runs late. So far this year, that's been us. We played solid defensively – made a few minor mistakes – but pitched it well."
The Rattlers and Broncos will square off again tomorrow in another twin-bill to complete the four-game weekend series; start time for the first game slated for 12:00 P.M. at the NMMI Ballpark.
