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Freshman right-hander Thomas Erickson hurls St. Michael’s to Tuesday’s 6-0 zip over visiting Pojoaque Valley in District 2-4A baseball Junior Aiden Gantt drives in two runs in the 4-run second inning and Horsemen are 10-8 overall and 3-2 in district H
By Arnie Leshin
And a freshman shall lead the Horsemen.
That was the way it went for pitcher Thomas Erickson as he paved the way to Tuesday’s 6-0 St. Michael’s win over visiting Pojoaque Valley in District 2-4A play.
The right-hander worked the first 5 2/3 innings, giving up a pair of hits while striking out nine, hitting one batter, but no walks as brought his record to 2-0.
“He’s good real good control.” Said second year head coach Augustin Ruiz, “and he throws a fastball. a curve and a change-up. He confused most of the Pojoaque betters with his change-up.”
Erickson is so new, he wasn’t even listed on the initial roster.
Seniors Jude Mondragon and Sean Latham came on in relief as the Horsemen advanced to10-8 overall and 3-2 in district. Taos, which lost Tuesday to visiting West Las Vegas, holds down first place at 4-1, the Dons at 2-4, and the Elks winless in four outings.
Saturday, the Tigers visit the Christian Brothers Athletic Complex for a doubleheader against St. Michael’s scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m.
Junior Aiden Gantt sparked the 4-run second inning by driving in two runs, and he also added another hit.
“We really haven’t put it all together yet,” said Ruiz, who took this team to last year’s semifinals of the state tournament before losing by a run to Portales. “I know we can do better. Our pitching has been solid, as has been our play in the field, but we need to pick up the hitting.”
The Horsemen scored once in the third and again in the sixth and totaled eight hits.
West Las Vegas’ win on the road was a real surprise. Taos (12-7) had been playing its best ball, but along came the Dons to put their overall record at 8-8. Robertson is 3-1 in district and gets a visit from Pojoaque today.
