Peter Dindinger — NMMI Sports Press
Playing from behind for the first time during this early portion of the season, the New Mexico Military Institute Colt baseball team had to overcome adversity to keep the unblemished record alive.
During a blustery and rainy Monday afternoon, the Colts erased a two-run deficit by scoring three runs in the bottom of the sixth to notch a 4-3 win over the Capitan Tigers at NMMI Ballpark.
“We were very fortunate at the end,” said NMMI head coach Charlie Ward. “They showed a lot of character on this team that we’re going to play 21 outs. Very proud of their effort of not quitting.”
Capitan struck early in the top of the first after an error and a walk.
Jaden Peralta later scored on a passed ball.
The Colts tied up the game in the bottom half of the frame after Miguel Rivera drove in courtesy runner Gael Garza on a ground ball to the second baseman.
In the top of the third, the Tigers put together a two-out rally that was sparked by an error and a single by Dylan Gallegos.
Darin Kahlich hit an RBI single and then Anthony Rogers scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-1.
Jose Barcelo hit a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth. An error by the first baseman later allowed a run to score.
Norberto Valencia delivered a clutch RBI double to right. Sergio Gonzales scored the go-ahead run on an error by the catcher.
Barcelo finished 2 for 3 with two singles while Valencia went 1 for 3.
Rivera tallied a double to go 1 for 3 with an RBI while Gonzales finished 1 for 3 with a single.
NMMI had five hits to Capitan’s three.
Tegin Maloney threw 2.2 innings allowing one hit while striking out five batters. All three runs scored were unearned in the no-decision bid.
Rivera and Barcelo closed the game allowing a combined two hits with three strikeouts to earn the win and save, respectively.
Rogers threw a five-hitter for the Tigers in 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts.
>> UP NEXT: NMMI hosts the 28th annual Sertoma Colt Classic from Thursday to Saturday. The Colts take on Tularosa at 7 p.m. in the opening round.
NMMI 4, Capitan 3
CAPIT.….1020000 — 3 3 2
NMMI…..100003x — 4 5 2
Anthony Rogers, Darin Kahlich (6). Tegin Maloney, Miguel Rivera (3), Jose Barcelo (7). W — Rivera. L — Rogers. SV — Barcelo. 2B — NMMI: Norberto Valencia, Miguel Rivera. 3B — None. HR — None.
Records — Capitan (3-2); NMMI (7-0).