Westerners Split Weekend Series with NMJC

Snyder, TX — The Western Texas College Westerners baseball team split its weekend series with New Mexico Junior College. The Westerners took the first game before dropping the second contest in Hobbs, New Mexico.

Game One

There were runs aplenty on Saturday as Western Texas College defeated New Mexico Junior College, 18–8. The Westerners collected 15 hits, while NMJC finished with four.

Western Texas got on the board in the bottom of the first inning when Brandt House drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

The Westerners extended their early lead with four runs in the second inning, highlighted by RBI singles from Florent Riep, Dylan Malone, and House.

Western Texas added another run in the third inning when Luke Trager blasted a solo home run to left field.

New Mexico Junior College responded in the sixth inning, scoring five runs. The big hit of the inning was a three-run home run to left field, while two additional runs scored on a Westerner error.

Western Texas answered with a big inning of its own in the bottom of the sixth, plating seven runs on five hits. Garret Rester singled to drive in a run, Trager added a sacrifice fly, an error brought in another run, Caven Fuentes singled home a run, House delivered a two-RBI single, and Easton Stewart capped the inning with an RBI single.

Tyler Spruiell earned the win for Western Texas College, allowing three hits and four runs (two earned) over five innings while striking out eight and walking five.

Western Texas finished with 15 hits in the game. House led the offense with four RBIs, going 3-for-4 at the plate. Malone and House each recorded three hits, while Fuentes and Trager added multiple-hit performances. Reed Osborne drew two walks as the Westerners totaled seven walks in the game.

Game Two

Western Texas College could not hold onto an early lead on Sunday, falling 23–14 to New Mexico Junior College despite leading by four runs at one point.

Trager drove in five runs in the loss, finishing 2-for-4 at the plate.

The Westerners struck first in the bottom of the first inning when House drew a bases-loaded walk to score a run. Rester followed with a three-run home run to center field to give Western Texas a 4–0 lead.

New Mexico Junior College answered in the third inning, scoring six runs on six hits to take a 6–4 lead. The key hit of the inning was a three-run home run to right field.

In the fourth inning, NMJC added to its lead with another three-run home run to right field.

Western Texas rallied in the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring eight runs on four hits to reclaim the lead, 12–9. The highlight of the inning was a grand slam by Trager to left field.

However, New Mexico Junior College responded with a massive 11-run seventh inning, collecting five hits to take control of the game, 20–12. The biggest hit of the inning came on a grand slam to right field on an 0–2 count.

Cole Melton started for Western Texas College, allowing seven runs on seven hits in 3.1 innings with four strikeouts and four walks. NMJC's starter allowed four runs on four hits over 3.2 innings while striking out six.

Western Texas recorded 15 hits in the game. Fuentes led the team with three hits, going 3-for-6, while Osborne and Rester each added multiple hits. The Westerners also stole three bases and turned one double play.

Up Next

Western Texas College will travel to Roswell to face New Mexico Military Institute on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21.