Deegan's go-ahead homer cements AC's first conference sweep

Chances of the program's first conference sweep since the reboot of athletics narrowed as game four reached its final frames.

The Badgers faced a 6-5 deficit when Bret Deegan stepped to the plate for the first time in AC's home series at Hodgetown against Howard College.

On a 2-1 count, the freshman hit his third home run of the season over the left field wall, giving the Badgers an 8-6 lead. The three-run shot led the Badgers to a seven-run eighth and a 12-9 victory to clinch a series sweep over the Hawks.

The homer highlighted a record-breaking series at the plate for the Badgers.

Outfielder and leadoff hitter Chris Benavidez set the program's single-game home run record with three homers during AC's 17-9 win in game two. The Blinn Community College transfer's record-setting game also featured the Badgers first grand slam of 2024.

Sophomore first baseman Grant Watkins recorded three home runs of his own – two in game three and one in game four – to extend his team-best home run total to 12.

AC plated 55 runs during the four-game homestand – the second-highest total for a single series in program history – and hit a season-best eight home runs.

The Badgers current home run total (49) is tied for the 11th highest mark in NJCAA D-I. AC's slugging percentage (.600) is ranked sixth.

Amarillo College pitchers were equally as important to the team's success during the series versus Howard College, who began the four-game set with a top-10 offensive unit in NJCAA D-I.

Deegan improved his pitching record to 7-1 to begin the series. The Spring, Texas native struck out six batters and allowed no earned runs in 5.1 innings.

Noah Turner was named a starter for the first time this season and the freshman made the most of his opportunity in game two. The 6-foot-5 righty threw four shutout innings to start the contest before exiting after two outs in the fifth frame.

Turner struck out three batters and allowed no earned runs.

Fellow freshman Duncan Bowles kept his record spotless on Saturday as the Randall High product picked up his second complete-game win during game three. Bowles had five strikeouts and walked two batters to improve his season record to 6-0.

Lawson Peel, Gabe Watson, Carter Beard, and Colton Klemke teamed up on the mound for the Badgers in game four.

Klemke, a freshman from Lubbock, tallied his second win of the season after throwing the final 3.1 innings.

Watson, who relieved Peel in inning three, finished the contest with one of his better stat lines of 2024. The sophomore struck out four batters, walked two, and allowed no hits or runs in 1.2 innings.

AC improved their conference record to 10-6 and 22-10 overall following last weekend's series. The Badgers are currently tied for third place in the WJCAC, alongside Odessa College.

Game 4 Summary

Amarillo College secured their third comeback victory of the series and eighth come-from-behind win of the season in their final game at Hodgetown for the year.

Howard College led 5-1 after three innings and AC began to chip away at the Hawks advantage in the fifth inning. AC scored one run via a Sydney Ward RBI single to end the fifth frame.

Watkins homered in AC's first at-bat of the sixth inning to make it a 5-3 game heading into the seventh.

AC tied the game briefly in the bottom of the seventh before an Allen Hernandez solo home run gave the Hawks a 6-5 lead going into the eighth frame.

Saleh and Avila singled before Bret Deegan hit his third homer of 2024. Ward, De Hoyos, Watkins, Prado, and Avila added singles following Deegan's longball.

Howard College hit two home runs in the top of the ninth frame before the contest concluded in favor of AC (12-9).

The teams combined for six home runs during game four and 16 home runs in the series – eight for each team.