Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press

It's been a year and 11 months since the New Mexico Military Institute Bronco baseball team last set foot on their home field for a competition.

Fast forward to 2021.

Lasting nearly an hour and a half, the Broncos made quick work of the Community Christian College Saints, winning by a score of 12-1 in five innings Friday afternoon at the NMMI Ballpark.

NMMI last saw action 11 days ago, but despite that the Broncos got a dominant complete game outing from starter Megumi Fukuda, who struck out seven batters while allowing two hits.

"Just (a) weird game ... real quick. I think it took our hitters a little time to get back in the groove," said NMMI head coach Chris Cook. "It's just been a while since we played. Megumi was sharp and located his fastball."

Rudy Solis got the Broncos (10-1) on the board in the bottom of the first with an RBI single that helped bring around Gavon Clemons after an error by the left fielder.

After a leadoff triple by Guillermo Borquez, Cameron Stevenson extended the Broncos' lead to 3-0 with an RBI single in the second.

In the top of the fourth, the Saints (2-20) got on the board after Lucas Bates scored on a wild pitch.

NMMI put together a nine-run rally in the bottom half of the frame. Edwin Martinez Pagani hit a two-run home run to left field while Stevenson drove in a pair of runs with a triple to dead center to highlight the big inning.

The Broncos compiled nine hits.

Pagani went 1-for-4 with two RBI while Solis finished 2-for-3 with two singles and two RBI.

Borquez tallied a double, triple and a walk to go 2-for-2. Stevenson drove in six runs, finishing 2-for-3 with a single and triple.

Victor Jimenez added with a triple and a walk to go 1-for-1.

For the Saints, Bates and Joel Holguin hit a pair of singles to each go 1-for-2.

The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.

"All in all — solid day. Tomorrow's going to be a lot different game. Hopefully we'll show up ready to go and have a couple good games," Cook said. "Nothing to complain about. We just got to sharpen our base running. We're trying to make sure we handle business the right way."