News
Riders split with Northeastern
Luna softball hosting Monday, Tuesday
By Dave Kavanaugh
Luna Community College
A grand slam by Kekoa Ogawa, followed shortly thereafter by a two-run shot by Kobe Carpio, came in the fifth inning of Luna Community College’s eventual 14-4 triumph over Northeastern Junior College in the first game of their four-game series over the weekend.
That offensive deluge showed the potential of a young group of Rough Riders, and it helped the team secure a split of the series against a sturdy opponent.
The aforementioned contest saw Luna take an early lead, scoring once in each of the first three frames before Northeastern evened things up with a three-run fourth. In their half of the inning, the Rough Riders responded with a five-run outburst, and after the Plainsmen added a run in the top of the fifth, Luna loaded the bases for Ogawa’s grand slam shot. Diego Quinonez collected three hits in as many at-bats to pace Luna, which also got multiple-hit games from Carpio, Ogawa, Dominic Lucero and Samuel Estrada. Jacob Limas threw a three-hitter with one earned run allowed and five strikeouts.
In Saturday’s other game, Northeastern carved out a 7-5 win when Luna’s seventh-inning rally fell short. The host Rough Riders had led twice in a back-and-forth game, going ahead 3-1 through three innings and regaining the lead at 5-4 by the end of the fourth. But the Plainsmen tied it in the top of the fifth and then scored the go-ahead runs in their final at-bats in the top of the seventh. Ogawa went 4 for 4 at the plate with two doubles, and Quinonez, Bo Kidd and Ashton Whiteaker had two hits apiece.
In game three on Sunday, Northeastern pushed two runs across on its first opportunity only to have Luna answer with another six-run surge – including another grand slam – to take control. The Riders added an insurance run in the fifth en route to a 7-2 win. Ogawa and Quinonez both homered for Luna, supporting a solid pitching performance by Chisum Rush, who scattered seven hits over seven innings and didn’t allow an earned run.
Northeastern closed the series with an 11-0 win, scoring four in the top of the first to set the tone. Zach Boone hit two home runs and a sacrifice fly for five RBI.
Luna improved to 7-34 overall and 5-17 in conference play with the weekend split. The team and coaches T.C. Nusser and Harry Estep will wrap up their home schedule with a three-game set vs. Otero Junior College on Saturday and Sunday. First pitch both days is set for noon at Brandt Park on the New Mexico Highlands University campus.
On Monday and Tuesday this week, the Rough Riders softball team and coach Randy Krutsch are scheduled to host Trinidad State in a home series. First pitch Monday is 1 p.m. at Cowgirl Field. Tuesday’s games begin at 11 a.m.
Advance tickets will be available online.