NMMI Sports Press
The New Mexico Military Institute Bronco baseball team won both games in Sunday's doubleheader vs. visiting Otero Junior College, completing a four-game weekend series sweep against the Rattlers.
As was the case yesterday, where just three runs decided the difference in two games, both games went down to the wire on Sunday, with NMMI earning walk-off wins in both, 6-5 and 2-1.
Asked about the walk-offs, Head Bronco coach Chris Cook replied, "So far it's been pretty common for us. It's not good for the heart, but I'm impressed with the fact that we're pitching well enough to keep the games close, especially in these home games which gives us a chance with the last at-bat."
In Game 1, the Broncos built a four-run lead with a single run in the bottom of the first and three more in the bottom of the third.
Otero came back with single runs in each of the next three innings, then went ahead in the top of the seventh with two more runs.
Down by one in the last inning of regulation, NMMI managed to knot things up with a lead-off walk by Will Haywood. Then after two outs, Jason Herrera singled to left field and Haywood was able to score on an Otero fielding error.
After closer David Chavez shut down the Rattlers in the top of the eighth, NMMI came back in the bottom half with a single run to win. Luis Rivera started things off by being hit by a pitch. With one out, Adam Abetya launched a double to deep center field for the RBI and walk-off win.
NMMI starting pitcher Ricky Roybal went five innings, allowed just two runs, one earned, off two hits, and four walks, while striking out four.
Rodriguez and Abeyta both hit .500 (2 for 4) in the game, Abetya had three RBIs.
In Game 2, neither team was able to post a run until the Rattlers plated one in the top of the sixth.
NMMI came back with two in the bottom of the seventh for another walk-off win – their third against Otero and fifth of the season.
Estevan De La O led off with a triple into right field. Abeyta drove in De La O with a single up the middle. Jason Herrera then walked, Luis Rivera lined out, and Bobby Galindo walked to load the bases. Rodriguez then singled through the left side for the walk-off RBI single.
Eric Estrada got the complete game win over seven innings. He allowed just three hits, no walks, one unearned run and struck out five.
Miguel Soto was the only Bronco with multiple hits in Game 2, going 2 for 3 at the plate with a pair of singles.
"You can't take winning four close games like this for granted," explained coach Cook. "It's not an everyday thing. We've got to be happy, even if we didn't play great at times, but we do have to clean some stuff up, fix some things offensively and get some runs on the board."
But Cook was definitely pleased with his pitchers' performance this weekend.
"Everybody pitched well," said Cook. "I had two guys we've got a lot of confidence in who never saw the mound - LeBron and Buffett - because we got quality starts. The innings shrink up when you get those quality starts. They need to be ready for next week, because we've got a tough team coming in, Garden City, who always plays super-hard and is well coached."
"All-in-all, I'm very proud that we stayed with it," finished Cook. "We've been able to come back late which has given us a chance to win some games."
With the win, NMMI moves to 8-4 on the season. They'll host Garden City Community College in a four-game series next weekend, Friday and Saturday, Feb. 16-17. First games slated to start both days at 12:00 P.M. at the NMMI Ballpark.
