Badgers rout Wranglers in series finale

Nine members of Ja'Marcus Smtih's family cheered from the stands as he took to the hill in Odessa – the place his father, Marcus Smith, and relatives grew up – on Friday with hopes of guiding AC to a series-ending victory.

Just 30 minutes prior, the Badgers suffered a gut-wrenching 7-6 loss in game three, resulting in a 0-3 series deficit.

But the previous result did not phase the Lubbock native in the slightest.

"I tried to stay locked in and focused on the task at hand," Smith said of his mindset entering the game. "I'd like to thank (Logan) Tibbett because he gave me some advice on pitches to throw against their lineup."

Smith recorded six scoreless innings in his second start of the season.

The Lubbock Monterey High School product gave credit to the AC defense for his success and noted how special it was to have an abundance of family in attendance.

"My outfielders were making diving plays, and the infielders were making double plays. That gives me confidence," Smith said. "My family's presence made me comfortable. I felt like I was back home, and I wanted to show them that what they did helped me."

AC head coach Brandon Rains explained the performance by Smith was in the works from the start of the season, noting the freshman's dedication behind the scenes.

"Anytime you throw six shutout innings in our conference against a team like Odessa on the road, it's very impressive," AC head coach Brandon Rains said. "He had all three pitches working and he was able to locate those throughout the game while maintaining velocity until the end. He has really developed over the year and that's credit to his work ethic and determination."

The Amarillo College bats, and defense played an equally vital role during the 10-3 victory.

The Badgers' offense accumulated 14 hits, including a two-run blast by sophomore Bret Deegan, while the AC defense put a zero in error column with 27 putouts and one assist on 28 total chances.

Deegan put forth a season-best performance at the plate as the Klein Oak High School product had three RBIs via two singles to go along with his opposite field homer.

"He's an electric hitter and during that game he was in a groove," Rains said. "Hopefully he can continue that over the next few weeks because he is going to get more opportunities."

The longball, which cleared the right-centerfield fence, extended AC's advantage to 4-0 in the fifth inning.

Noah Turner finished what Smith started on the mound. The sophomore recorded three strikeouts, one walk, and zero earned runs during the final 2 1/3 innings.

"He has worked hard at executing a slider over and over. He did that to the best of his ability and was able to locate that breaking pitch," Rains noted.

Zyon Hamilton had the team's most productive offensive series last week. The sophomore from Austin hit a .462 average – a team-high mark for Badgers with double-digit at-bats.

Hamiton and Deegan tallied a team-high three hits apiece during the series finale.

Amarillo College's offensive outburst in game four included doubles by Payton Bush, Joel Gonzales, and Hamilton. Bush and Brooks Carter scratched out a pair of hits while combining for three RBIs.

The Badgers' 14 hits in game four was their highest output over the past 20 games.

"We were able to rally from what was one of our toughest losses of the year and pull out a victory," Rains added. "I was proud of the guys from staying the course and earn a hard-fought win on the road."

Odessa College opened the series with a pair of decisive victories, taking game one 11-3 and game two 12-2.

Resiliency was on full display by the Badgers to start play on Friday. AC rallied from a 5-2 deficit in the second inning and took a 6-5 lead during the top of the third frame.

Jacob Sullens, Gerardo Prado, Carter, and Dylan Steele had one single apiece. Hamilton added an RBI double to cap the third inning rally.

The Wranglers tied the game in the fifth inning on a passed ball with two outs. Following a fly out and a double play by Odessa during the top of the sixth, the Wranglers gained the lead (7-6) via a defensive error by the Badgers.

Bush reached base on an Odessa error with one out during the seventh and final inning. A Carter single moved Bush to third base, but an AC strikeout ended the contest.

The Badgers (19-29, 12-16) are currently in sixth place in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference standings following last week's 1-3 outing.

AC will head to Roswell, New Mexico this week for a Friday-Saturday series against New Mexico Military Institute. Doubleheaders will start at noon on both days.