QUICK FACTS:
Location: Hobbs, NM
Colors: Red & Gold
Nickname: Thunderbirds
Enrollment: 3,000
Founded: 1965
President: Dr. Kelvin Sharp
Athletic Director: Deron Clark
Conference: Western Junior College Athletic
Region: V
District: Southwestern
Home Stadium: Ray Birmingham Thunderbird FIeld
Head Coach: Jimmy Durham (3rd Season, 117-55)
World Series Appearances: 3 (2005, 2007, 2019)
World Series Titles: 1
Record in the World Series: 9-2 (.818)
[History]
#ROADTOGRANDJUNCTION:
New Mexico Junior College is making their first trip back to Grand Junction since the 2007 season. That year, they lost to Chipola (FL) in the championship game. In the Thunderbirds two prior trips, they played in the title game both times, winning their first trip v. St. Petersburg (FL) in 2005.
New Mexico JC swept the Southwestern District Championship, holding off McLennan (TX) in the championship game. Offensively, they rank in the top ten in batting average (6th, .350), RBI (8th, 455), and home runs (6th, 79).
Daniel Hernandez has the top batting average, hitting .426. He has 53 RBI and 13 stolen bases. Soterio Ramirez leads the team with 60 RBI. The Thunderbirds have at least eight guys with 40 or more RBI. Freshman Adrian Torrez leads the team with 11 home runs. Only one guy on the team with a plate appearance does not have a home run.
From the mound, four guys have 67 or more strikeouts. Tristan Stivers leads the team in the category with 77. He's 5-2 on the season with 3 saves. Ty Stephenson has the best ERA at 3.48. He has fanned 70 and is 7-2. Mark Barillas is 8-1 with a save. He is struck out 67 and has a 3.54 ERA.