Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Melrose junior Sterling Sena is greeted by teammates after hitting a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning of Monday's District 4/1-2A baseball game against Floyd at Melrose. The home run tied the game 1-1, but turned out to be the Buffaloes' only run in a 12-1 setback to the Broncos.
Floyd senior Brayan Navarro threw a complete-game five-hitter on Monday as the Broncos defeated Melrose 12-1 in District 4/1-2A baseball at Melrose. With the win, the Broncos improved to 7-1 in district play.
MELROSE — Monday afternoon saw the Floyd baseball team play one of its best games of the season on the way to a 12-1 District 4/1-2A win over Melrose.
The Buffaloes (4-6-1, 4-5-1) gave up nine free bases on five hit batters and four walks. Combined with the Broncos (7-4, 7-1) 12 hits, this led to a quick matchup that ended early in five innings.
"Every single pitcher we have has never pitched before (this season)," said Buffs coach Caleb King. "Whenever they don't come out and pitch well, they can get frustrated and start walking guys."
Despite having only one extra-base hit all game, Floyd kept pounding the gaps with singles throughout the contest. Tied 1-1 heading into the top of the third, Floyd blew the game wide open in the ensuing innings, scoring three runs in the third, five in the fourth and three more in the fifth for good measure.
"We had been struggling to hit the ball, but the last couple of games we've started to find our rhythm," said Broncos coach Darwin Chenault. "Kids are just finding the ball and we are hitting a lot of line drives that get down."
Patrick Terry led the way for Floyd, going 3-of-4 with five RBIs. Weston Whitecotton went 2-for-4 while Connor Martin went 2-for-3 with two RBIs.
Brayan Navarro was almost untouchable on the rubber for the Broncos, throwing all five innings while only giving up three hits and fanning eight batters. His lone earned run came off a Sterling Sena solo home run in the bottom of the first inning.
"(Navarro has) been pitching really good, very solid," said Chenault. "He is learning to live on that outside half of the plate and is very comfortable — definitely the ace of our team right now."
The Broncos will travel to Elida on Friday for a 2 p.m. game. Melrose has a 10-day break until resuming their schedule against Gateway Christian next Thursday at 2 p.m.
