NMMI Sports Press

In a game where the score was inflated by wind-aided long balls, the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco baseball dropped their series opener versus visiting Dodge City Community College, 15-13.

Nine balls breeched the outfield fence in Friday's single nine-inning game: five by DCCC, four by NMMI.

The Bronco's homeruns came from four different players: Grady Frost went long with a leadoff dinger in the top of the fifth, followed by a back-to-back solo shot by Paulo Rodriguez; Cedric Reynaud finished up the scoring in NMMI's four-run fifth with a two-run tag over the right field fence; and Miguel Soto started the bottom of the sixth with another single-run jack.

NMMI starting pitcher Parker Bateman went 4.2 innings with no decision, allowing six runs, five earned, off five hits, three walks and five strikeouts.  David Chavez got stuck with the loss on 2.2 innings of work, four runs, three earned, five hits, one walk, and 2Ks.

"It was just an overall bad day to play baseball," said head Bronco coach Chris Cook. "The wind was blowing out which allowed routine popups to become home runs."

"We needed this game and tomorrow isn't going to be a very fun day to play," continued Cook. "It is going to be a complete 'Opposite Day' tomorrow because the wind will blowing in."

With the loss, NMMI drops to 10-7 on the season. They'll square off with Dodge City in a pair of seven innings games on Saturday beginning at noon at the NMMI Ballpark, then finish up the four-game series with a single nine-inning game on Sunday at 12:00 P.M.