Serving the High Plains
Serving the High Plains
Tucumcari pitcher Ryan Birch winds up during the first game Saturday against Robertson at Tucumcari.
The Tucumcari baseball showed mixed results in its second week of the season, winning a road game at Melrose but taking it on the chin during a doubleheader loss at home against Robertson.
On Saturday, the Cardinals (3-1) won their games by scores of 18-1 and 23-1. The Rattlers (1-4) managed just five hits and committed a total of 15 errors during the twinbill.
Robertson took leads of 9-1 by the second inning of the first game and 10-0 by the third inning of the second contest.
In the first game, Tucumcari scored its run when Alijah Jimenez doubled off the left-field fence, advanced to third base on a balk and scored on Andrew Casteel's double in the gap.
On March 18, Tucumcari blasted host Melrose 17-3 in a game shortened to five innings by the mercy rule. Melrose went through a flurry of pitchers, as each hurler was limited to a 20-pitch count.
Grady 6, Melrose 3
Melrose 19, Grady 7
The Grady/San Jon baseball team split its season-opening doubleheader Thursday against visiting district foe Melrose, winning the first game 6-3 but dropping the nightcap 19-7.
In the first game, Grady starting pitcher Chisum Rush went 6 1/3 innings, struck out 19 and gave up one hit for the win.
"Chisum is a pretty special kid," Bronchos coach Jared Piepkorn said. "He's got the long body that every pitching coach wants. We have a chance to win every time he steps on the mound."
Tanner Phillips started on the mound for the Bronchos and pitched five innings in the loss to Melrose (1-3).
"He gave up some runs but never stopped competing," Piepkorn said. "That's all I ask of my young men, is that they give everything they have and don't quit. We're pretty resilient, so let's see how we bounce back."
Floyd 18, Logan 12
Floyd 9, Logan 6
The Logan baseball team dropped its season-opening doubleheader Friday to visiting Floyd by 9-6 and 18-12 scores.
In the first game, both teams were tied 4-4 through the fifth inning, but Floyd (2-0) scored three in the sixth and two in the seventh to seal the win.
Dante Sanchez started on the mound for the Longhorns, going four innings and striking out four. Kyle Knight went 2-for-3 at the plate for Logan.
In the nightcap, the Broncos seized control with a 10-run fourth inning.
Knight, who started on the mound and went three innings, went 3-for-3 at the plate. Teammate Park Strong was 2-for-2, and Kyle Hamilton went 2-for-3.
"We haven't had a lot of practice time, and we are working with a lot of young guys," Logan coach Kyle Griffiths said. "I was proud of the way they fought, and we hit the ball really well. With some practice time and work, I see a lot of potential."
