Peter Dindinger – NMMI Sports Press
To cap off three straight days of baseball, the New Mexico Military Institute Broncos recorded a 4-0 series sweep of the Community Christian College Saints with an 8-3 victory Sunday afternoon at NMMI Ballpark.
NMMI starting pitcher Ty Villareal threw his best game of the spring so far as he went four innings striking out five batters and allowing one earned run off five hits.
"We pitched it well all weekend. We got most of the pitchers (that) we have in (to the game)," said NMMI head coach Chris Cook. "Not as many pitches as we'd hope to get for some guys but it's good to get the win."
Community Christian pitcher Garret DeYoung stifled the Bronco offense by holding them to three hits in 4.1 innings while also tallying seven strikeouts.
NMMI (13-1) did not score until the bottom of the third when Noah Nunez crossed home plate on a passed ball.
The Saints answered back in the top of the fourth with an RBI single from Abel Medueno.
Nunez broke the 1-1 tie with a two RBI single in the bottom half of the frame.
In the fifth, NMMI tacked on another run as Mario Chacon scored on an error by the shortstop.
The Broncos put together a three-run rally in the sixth that was highlighted by an RBI triple by Albert Oliva Velez.
NMMI's final run came after Jayden Diaz scored on a wild pitch in the eighth.
Community Christian (2-23) managed to out hit NMMI, 11-9.
Velez finished 2 for 3 with a single and an RBI while Nunez also went 2 for 3 with two singles and a pair of RBI.
Ryan Flake hit a triple in the sixth to go 1 for 1. Diaz delivered a pinch-hit triple during the eighth to also finish 1 for 1.
Rudy Solis added by going 1 for 4 with a double and a walk.
NMMI's bullpen comprised of Jaydon Stephens, Henrique Date, Robert Loya and Julian Lopez combined to strike out six batters while allowing six hits and two earned runs.
The Broncos are searching for a possible opponent to play next weekend, but for now they are still fine tuning their skills for the conference opener at Odessa College on March 19.
"We had some timely hitting. Oliva had some good at bats this weekend. Lot of guys got a chance because those opportunities shrink up when you get into conference games," Cook added.