NMMI Sports Press
The Broncos took a pair from the visiting Luna Community College Roughriders in the windy home opener Saturday afternoon at the NMMI Ballpark, jumping out to big lead then holding on for a 9-7 win in the first half of the doubleheader, before battling back from an early deficit for a 15-7 victory in Game 2.
Freshman second baseman Hee-Ryun Han wasn't bothered by the gusty winds as he went 6-for-8 across both games with two doubles, two triples, four runs batted in and two runs scored. Sophomore third baseman Daniel Lizarraga went 5-for-8, singling on and scoring each time.
Sophomore catcher Benicio Diaz drove in eight runs on four hits, including an inside-the-park home run that scored three.
"I thought we swung it pretty well in the wind. We hit balls hard, on the line or on the ground, which is what we were hoping," said 12th-year Bronco head coach Chris Cook. "Han had a fantastic day offensively, Danny had some good at bats and overall the lineup did what we needed."
The Broncos used two pitchers in each game, with sophomore Julio Ramos giving up six runs off six hits over three innings before Alejandro Torres Rivera tossed the final four, giving up a single run off five hits. The freshman from Kissimmee, Florida had five strikeouts and walked two as the Broncos held on for the first home win of the season.
In Game 2, sophomore right-hander Paul Ruiz allowed five runs off four hits with four walks and five strikeouts before Yuki Shigeyasu entered the game, allowing two runs over the final three innings as the Broncos ended the game by mercy-rule in the seventh.
"The wind was a factor, but I don't blame it for most of the runs they scored," Cook said. "Defensively, I thought we were sound except for some balls back to the pitcher that we didn't handle too well. I'm still waiting for the pitching staff that I know we have to sharpen up and really come out."
The Broncos came galloping out of the gates in Game 1, jumping out to a six-run lead as they batted around in the first inning. The Roughriders tied it in the top of the third, but NMMI took the lead back in the bottom of the frame as Diaz got into scoring position with a two-out triple.
A base on balls for Ovier Alvidrez kept the inning alive for Han, who ground to the shortstop, but reached on an error, scoring Diaz to take a 7-6 lead.
The teams traded runs in the fifth and the Broncos added some insurance in the sixth when freshman first baseman Seojun Oh scored on a Julian Payan ground out.
In the second game, Luna had the early 5-1 lead, but the Broncos put up 12 runs across the second, third and fourth innings as they cruised to victory.
The Broncos will complete their four-game series with LCC tomorrow, with first pitch set for noon. The games can be streamed live over the internet free of charge at KSVPtv.com.