Apaches End Series Strong with Win over Northeast Texas

Game 1: Northeast Texas 5, TJC 4

After a tough 10-1 loss to Northeast Texas on Wednesday, March 26th, the TJC Apaches were determined to bounce back in their doubleheader against the Eagles. Unfortunately, despite a valiant effort, the Apaches fell short in Game 1, losing 5-4. The game featured solid pitching and key hits, but missed opportunities and defensive lapses proved costly for TJC.

Northeast Texas took an early lead in the first inning when B. Seahorn's fielder's choice allowed J. Farris to score, putting them up 1-0. The Eagles then added two more runs in the third inning with a clutch double from B. Duff, bringing in J. Gonzales and B. Seahorn to extend their lead to 3-0.

TJC answered back in the fifth inning when Preston Newberry blasted a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 3-1. However, Northeast Texas responded in the sixth with a sacrifice fly from J. Staten and a single from P. Samaripa, scoring L. Regas to make it 5-1.

In the final inning, the Apaches mounted a comeback. James Raecek hit a two-RBI double to bring the game within reach, and Lathan Van Ausdall followed with a groundout that scored another run. Despite the rally, TJC could not push across the tying run, and Northeast Texas held on for the 5-4 victory.

Key Players:

• James Raecek: 1 hit, 2 RBIs

• Preston Newberry: 1 hit, 1 HR, 1 RBI

• Cody Brasch: 3 innings, 5 hits, 3 earned runs

Game 2: TJC 10, Northeast Texas 4

TJC came out strong in Game 2, bouncing back from the earlier loss and defeating Northeast Texas 10-4. A well-balanced offensive attack, combined with stellar pitching, propelled the Apaches to a dominant win.

The Apaches struck first in the fourth inning when Sawyer Dunagan singled in an RBI to score Gabe Flores, giving TJC a 1-0 lead. Northeast Texas responded in the bottom of the fourth with three runs of their own, aided by a passed ball and an RBI triple from B. Duff, putting the Eagles ahead 3-1.

TJC quickly regained the lead in the sixth inning. Dunagan hit a two-RBI single to tie the game at 3-3, and a subsequent RBI single by Josiah Mackey put the Apaches up 4-3.

The Apaches continued to add insurance runs in the late innings. In the eighth, Zack Zavala doubled to score Flores, making it 5-3. Then, in the ninth inning, TJC exploded for five more runs. Landry Stamps doubled in a run, followed by an RBI double from Finn Kaiyala. The final blow came from Grayson Lincecum, who hit a three-run homer, pushing the lead to a commanding 10-4.

Key Players:

• Grayson Lincecum: 1 hit, 1 HR, 3 RBIs

• Sawyer Dunagan: 4 hits, 3 RBIs

• Landry Stamps: 2 hits, 1 RBI

• Dane LeMaster (W, 1-0): 4.0 innings, 1 hit, 1 earned run

Pitching Highlights: TJC's pitching staff was outstanding in Game 2, with LeMaster earning the win after shutting down the Eagles over 4 innings. Trevor Breaux added 1.2 scoreless innings of relief, striking out two.