On Sunday afternoon New Mexico Military improved to 9-3 overall with a 13-12 loss in game three of the series followed by a 17-7 series clinching win in game four at the NMMI Ballpark. With the split, Trinidad State moves to 2-13 on the year.
GAME 1
After a scoreless first inning, NMMI started the bottom of the second with back-to-back fly outs. With the help of two walks and a single, the Broncos loaded the bases for the first time of the day. NMMI scored their first with a walk to take a 1-0 lead. Trinidad responded with a solo shot in the top of the third to knot the game at one a piece.
The Broncos responded immediately. Seungmin Shin opened the frame with a single before Misael Maldonado Baez recorded his first homer of the year to clear the bases and give the Broncos a 3-1 lead. After back-to-back batters were hit by a pitch, Alec Guevara came up with a two RBI-triple to give NMMI a 5-1 advantage. After Eliseo Ramirez walked in the next at-bat, Sangwoon Jeon tallied his first homer of the season, a two-run blast to put the home side ahead 8-1. Missael Maldonado Baez recorded an RBI-single to score the eighth run of the frame.
Following a scoreless fourth inning, Trinidad State used the top of the fifth inning to score six runs and trail 9-7. With a runner on base after a walk, Missael Maldonado Baez recorded an RBI triple to give NMMI a 10-7 lead after five innings. However, Trinidad State scored another six runs in the top of the sixth as they took a 13-10 lead. Alec Guevara responded with a two-run home run to get the Broncos back in reach. The Trojans were able to hold NMMI scoreless in the seventh inning as they secured the 13-12 win in game three of the series.
GAME 2
The Broncos wasted no time getting on the board in game two. Seungmin Shin tallied his second triple of the season to get on base. Following a single by Missael Maldonado Baez, Alec Guevara recorded an RBI single to score the first run of game four. After a walk loaded the bases, Kylian Bamberger recorded a two-RBI single to make it a 3-0 ballgame. NMMI scored the final run of the frame on a wild pitch to go ahead by four runs. The Trojans answered with a pair of runs in the top of the second inning to cut the lead in half, 4-2.
In the bottom of the second, the Broncos loaded the bases before Alec Guevara hit a two-RBI double to give the home side a 6-2 advantage. Trinidad State hit a solo home run in the top of the third as they trailed 6-3. Again, in the top of the fourth inning the Trojans earned a run back.
Alec Guevara opened the bottom of the fourth with a solo shot to give NMMI a 7-4 lead. After a walk and a single landed two runners on base, Cinco Holloway recorded his first RBI of the season with a double to give the Broncos a four-run advantage. Damwoo Kim hit a sacrifice fly out to score the third run of the inning to make it a 9-4 ball game. Trinidad State would answer in the top of the fifth inning with a three-run blast by Nick Homeniuk as the Trojans trailed 9-7.
The Broncos exploded in the bottom of the fifth inning with eight runs to put the run-rule into effect. After five batters were walked and two outs, Wonjae Cho called game with a two-RBI double to secure the 17-7 win after five innings.
Assistant coach Scott Barnum on the series, "we just struggled to throw strikes out of the pen and it hurt us in both games," Barnum said. "We're driving the ball well, we're seeing the ball well and scoring a bunch of runs … you can't complain about that," Barnum said. "Our starters have been putting us in good positions to win baseball games … but we'll use this week to get back to work and try to figure out some kinks and have our guys come in next weekend ready for another series," Barnum said.
UP NEXT
The Broncos return to action on Saturday, February 21 when they host Otero College for a four-game series. First pitch is scheduled for noon with a doubleheader scheduled for Saturday and Sunday.