Thunderbird (BB) Stumbles in Game 3 Versus MCC

NMJC fell 4-2 in Game 3 of the three-game series with No. 7 McLennan CC on Saturday, March 1. 

Starting pitcher Brayan Orrantia balked in a run for McLennan in the bottom of the second and then the Highlanders grounded a ball back to Orrantia but a throwing error caused two more runs to score. The Thunderbirds trailed 3-0 after two innings. 

Third baseman Jeter Battles led off the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run to bring the score to 3-1 MCC. NMJC walked in a run in the bottom of the fifth to move the difference to 4-1 Highlanders. 

NMJC cut the deficit to 4-2 in the top of the ninth on an RBI single by Battles. The Thunderbirds stranded two runners on base and fell 4-2 to No. 7 McLennan.   

Left fielder Felix Rodriguez finished with a double and a run scored. Callum Donnelly and Luis Urias both recorded doubles Saturday.

Brayan Orrantia pitched 4.2 innings allowing five hits and two earned runs. Monty Bognar came in relief pitching 1.1 innings, surrendering zero hits, and striking out two. Dominick Maese threw two innings scoreless allowing two hits.

The T-Birds ended Game 3 with five hits and three errors. 

NMJC slides to 10-9 on the season and will begin conference play against NMMI with a four-game series starting Friday, March 7 at 11 a.m. MST.