Trojans win one, lose pair
The Trojan baseball team was able to get three of their four weekend games played before weather changed the schedule. They returned to Trinidad with a 1-2 record after facing Odessa and New Mexico JC.
The first game against Odessa saw the Trojans score first but Odessa answered back to take a 3-1 lead which they held until the sixth when the Trojans cut it to 3-2. Odessa put it away with three runs in the bottom of the sixth to claim the 6-2 win. Kevin Hand was charged with the loss for Trinidad.
The second game was tied 3-3 going into bottom of the fourth when a few routine miscues by the Trojans opened up the inning. The Wrangles picked up the win by a final score of 8-3. Loran Carosella was charged with the loss.
“Odessa is a tough place to play,” commented Head Coach Scott Douglas. “They usually have a solid club. We had both games tightened up to give ourselves a shot but they both got away from us. We need to focus on doing the routine, ordinary stuff better and longer to win on the road against solid teams.”
“It is good to get out and play so guys can get the nerves out of the way. We had a lot of people kind of tight which is fairly normal with the excitement of a new season and some guys getting their first college action.”
“I saw lots of positive things throughout the day so we will just keep at it to see if we can improve on the stuff we didn't do so well.”
On Sunday the Trojans travelled to Hobbs, New Mexico to face New Mexico JC. Bo McLavey took the hill giving the Trojans six strong innings but didn’t factor into the decision as the game headed into extra innings tied 1-1. The Trojans put two runs up in the eighth but the Thunderbirds answered with a pair of their own in the bottom of the inning. TSJC again took the lead in the ninth and was able to hold New Mexico off for the 4-3 victory. David Henrie picked up the win in relief.
“It was a really good game to be part of,” said Douglas. “Our guys showed composure when we blew the lead in extra innings. That can get away from teams if they are emotional. Our guys locked in and went out and got another lead and then put it away. We were not doing the little things well early but we were scrapping. Once we cleaned up a few things it started to flow better.”
The second game of the doubleheader got underway with the Trojans taking a 1-0 lead. Rhys Niit took the hill for Trinidad and pitched three scoreless innings. With one runner on and a 1-0 lead in the fourth the game was called due to fog. The game is considered incomplete and will not be made up.
“It was unfortunate for us because I thought we were going to add to our lead and we were locked in on the mound and defensively,” Coach Douglas said of the game. “It was looking good for a split on the road trip. A chance to get two games on the road at New Mexico JC is tough to do and we had a good shot at it. It (calling the game) was the right thing to do. The ball was getting difficult to pick up."
The Trojans are now 1-2 and will next head to Roswell, New Mexico for a four game series against New Mexico Military this coming weekend.
