Socorro’s bats came alive over the weekend as the Warriors picked up two wins in different fashions against Tucumcari and Texico in the West Las Vegas Tournament.

SHS 13 Tucumcari 4 Socorro pounded out 18 hits and jumped to a 6-0 lead in the second inning en route to a 13-4 win against Tucumcari.

Alex Amaro and Rylan Hicks led the way at the plate for Socorro with three hits each that also produced three RBIs apiece for the hitters. Sebastian “Smiley” Mercado also had three hits and scored three times.

The Warriors took their 6-0 lead thanks to Hicks and Amaro poking RBI singles, Angel Perez’s 2 RBI single and an RBI double from Jacob Angel.

Joseph Rivera’s sacrifice grounder wrapped up the inning and helped his own efforts on the mound. The freshman right-hander struck out seven batters and scattered seven hits over his five innings of work. Rivera showed great control and issued only two free passes to first base.

The Warriors weren’t done providing run support as Amaro extended the lead to 7-0 with an RBI double in the third inning.

Socorro only picked up one walk by Amaro and got their runs by swinging at the plate. Angel, Cenyon Scarborough, Perez and Rivera had two hits each. Brendan Reichenbach rounded out the hitters with a single that gave the Warriors 18 hits.
Southpaw David Gutierrez wrapped up the contest in relief and was a perfect 3-3 as he struck out the side.

SHS 8 Texico 7
Gutierrez more than made up for Friday’s slow game at the plate with a three-hit outing, including the game-winning double in the seventh inning, as Socorro beat Texico 8-7.

It was Gutirrez’s only RBI of the contest, but it was the one that counted the most as the Warriors picked up their second win of the season.
The Warriors played from behind after Texico established a 5-0 lead after the third inning.

Socorro used a four-run fourth and a three-run stretch in the sixth inning to tie the contest at 7-7.

In the fourth inning, Perez singled to short and stole second base to set up an RBI opportunity for freshman Cullen Baxter, who poked a single to score Perez. An RBI single from Amaro followed up an Ivan Giron single to push Baxter across the plate.
The rally continued with a ground out from Perez to score Giron, and Amaro stole third base and scored on a passed ball. The Warriors loaded the bases with Gutierrez on board via a single and Scarborough and Hicks drawing walks before a pitching change stopped the scoring.

The Warriors found their timing against the new hurler in the sixth inning, with Gutierrez getting to first after being hit by a pitch and consecutive doubles by Scarborough and Hicks (2 RBI).

Mercado tied the game at 7-7 with his single that scored Hicks.

The seventh-inning clincher came after Amaro’s fly ball was bobbled nand set up Gutierrez’s game-winning double.

Gutierrez was inserted in the sixth inning and struck out five batters while giving up two hits and an earned run.

Scarborough worked five innings and had seven strikeouts.

Russell Huffman, El Defensor Chieftain Asst. Editor