NMMI Sports Press
The Colts loaded the bases in the bottom of the final inning against the Goddard junior varsity Rockets Friday in the semifinals of the 30th Colt Classic, but couldn’t complete the comeback in a 4-2 loss.
The Institute got on the scoreboard first with Grant Maloney’s two-out double in the third that scored shortstop Tegin Maloney from third, who had stolen second and third during his cousin’s at bat.
Junior pitcher Richard West got the start for NMMI, allowing five hits over five innings and one run in the fourth that tied the game. With runners at the corners, West was called for a balk, sending a run to the plate for the Rockets.
Cole Seidenberger made his first appearance on the mound this season in the sixth inning and finished out the game. The junior from Ruidoso gave up three runs off three hits with two walks and two stirkeouts.
The bottom of the seventh started almost as well as it could for the Colts, with both Maloneys earning walks and third baseman Luis Patron reaching on an infield error. After consecutive strikeouts soured the situation, catcher Nicolas Barcelo singled in the final run.
Outfielders Noah Martinez and Caden Carter, along with G. Maloney and Barcelo, each had two hits for the Colts. Maloney had the only multi-base hit.
In other Classic action, Artesia’s JV team defeated Eunice 14-4 to earn the other spot in the title game, while on the consolation side of the bracket, Capitan took down Shiprock 6-1 and Melrose topped the JV Coyotes 11-5.
The Colts will take on Eunice for third place at 4 p.m. tomorrow (Saturday).