Baseball struggles, softball excels

In a crucial Western Junior College Athletic Conference (WJCAC) baseball matchup at Eisenga Field on the Valle Verde campus, EPCC took a 11-0 lead after the first inning against New Mexico Junior College (NMJC), but the Thunderbirds rallied in the series finale for a 14-13 win. EPCC falls to 26-102 all time against the Thunderbirds.

Freshman Miguel Maldonado had a two-run homer in the first inning of the third game on Saturday to help the Tejanos take an enormous 11-0 lead… but it was not to be. Earlier on Saturday, EPCC defeated NMJC in the first game, 8-5, and nearly made an enormous comeback in the suspended game from Friday that started early Saturday.

On Friday, the Thunderbirds got the better of the Tejanos, 12-7, despite back to back homers from Chris Tavarez and Brandon Domez, and led game two, 9-1 before weather halted the game in the fifth inning. The conclusion of the second game was played Saturday morning, and EPCC made a game of it, but ultimately fell 10-9.

EPCC falls to 26-18 overall, 11-13 in the WJCAC. NMJC improves to 25-18, 11-13 in the WJCAC.

Next up, EPCC baseball travels to Midland, Texas to face the #14 Midland Bulldogs April 17-18.

Meanwhile, in Clarendon, Texas, the EPCC softball team got the better of Clarendon College for the first four-game sweep of the AubreeAna Avila era. The Tejanas defeated the Bulldogs on Thursday, 12-5 and 9-2, then followed up on Friday with victories in both games, winning 12-7 and 8-0. EPCC improves to 9-27 overall, and 6-6 in the WJCAC.

“The girls sticks really came alive," Interim head coach AubreeAna Avila said of the series sweep. “We had a total of 54 hits this weekend. Lena Rojas, Alexis Corona, Ale Salazar and Ariel Alvarado had the top batting averages. All their hard work is paying off. I'm extremely proud of these girls."

Next up, EPCC will host Western Texas College Friday and Saturday, April 17-18, at the Valle Verde Softball Complex with doubleheaders both days. Games begin at 1:00 p.m. For more information on EPCC baseball and softball, please visit: https://www.epcc.edu/Services/Athletics