On Thursday evening New Mexico Military defeated East Mountain 8-0 in game one, and followed it up with a 6-3 win in game two of Thursday’s doubleheader at the NMMI Ballpark. With the pair of wins, the Colts improved to 9-1 in district play with a 16-6 overall mark. On the other hand, East Mountain dips to 7-2 in district play with a 16-7 overall record.
GAME 1
After a scoreless first inning to open the game, NMMI started the scoring in the bottom of the second. Following a walk by Nicolas Barecelo and two outs, Grant Maloney delivered an RBI-double to score the first run of the game.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Richard West reached base with a triple down the right field line. With two outs, Nicolas Barcenas picked up an RBI single with a bunt to make it a 2-0 ballgame. During an attempt to pick off the runner, the Colts were able to score another run to take a three-run lead.
After holding the Timberwolves scoreless through six innings, NMMI used the bottom of the sixth to add some insurance. The Colts were able to score five runs in the inning with the help of a pair of RBI-singles by Noah Martinez and Grant Maloney as the Colts enjoyed an 8-0 game one win.
GAME 2
In game two, both teams were held scoreless in the first two innings as the defense made great plays behind the pitchers. However, the Colts got things going in the bottom of the third with a leadoff triple by Grant Maloney. In the next at bat, Nicolas Barcenas grounded out but helped score the first run of game two. With two outs, the Colts scored another run on a pickoff attempt.
In the bottom of the fifth, NMMI opened the lead. Grant Maloney opened the inning with a single. Nicolas Barcenas notched an RBI single before scoring with the help of an RBI triple by Javier Yepiz to give NMMI a 4-0 lead. After a fly out scored a run, Konstatino Scopelitis smashed a homerun over the left field fence to put NMMI ahead 6-0.
In the top of the seventh inning, East Mountain made the game interesting as they scored a trio of runs and loaded the bases. However, Tegin Maloney was able to come in on the mound and shut down any comeback opportunities for the Timberwolves.
Head Coach Brad Blackwell on the win, “Our guys just came out on senior day and delivered not once but twice. They came out, they were excited and wanted to win at home after losing a close one to them at their place,” Blackwell said. Winners of seven straight, “I think we understand that we can play with just about anyone and once they figured that out everything started clicking for us.” “We’re playing the baseball we knew we could play and now it’s piecing itself together,” Blackwell said.
NMMI returns to the diamond on Monday, April 28 as they host Tularosa for a single game at the NMMI Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for 6 pm MDT.