T-Birds take two from Trinidad State

Article Written by: Jason Farmer NEWS-SUN

Photo Taken by: Tony Baker NMTXsports.com

The New Mexico Junior College baseball team battled back twice Friday afternoon, picking up a pair of wins in the Thunderbirds' home-opening doubleheader. The first rally was from a four run deficit to beat Trinidad State 5-4. The second was a 5-1 deficit to win 10-7.

The T-Birds fell behind 4-0 thanks to some poor outfield play. The plays didn't go down as errors, but left fielder Chase Whetsel failed to make a play on three balls that could have been caught. Those misplayed balls allowed the Bulldogs to take the early lead.

New Mexico Junior College got its bats going in the bottom of the fifth when the T-Birds scored four times to tie the game. NMJC scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the seventh.

While his defense was iffy, Whetsel made up for it with his bat. The T-Birds left fielder was 1-for-2 with a solo home run and a walk. Larry Leitha also homered, finishing the game 3-for-4 at the plate with a run scored and two RBI. Ryan Rijo had a double and collected a pair of runs batted in for the T-Birds. Jake Dickerson was 2-for-3 with a double and a triple.

Alex Pinedo got the start and pitched five innings. Pinedo scattered seven hits and two walks while allowing four runs. The T-Birds' starter struck out five. Chris Jefferson pitched the final two innings and got the win. Jeffereson struck out two and walked one.