BASEBALL: Chaps look to have championship mentality against OC

By Oscar LeRoy
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - While there's no doubt that this weekend's baseball series against Odessa College is big, Midland College second baseman Garrett Williams said it's just another step in the road to the championship for his team.

The teams will meet up in a home-and-home series beginning at noon Friday with a doubleheader at Wrangler Field in Odessa before the series switches to Christensen Stadium for a doubleheader beginning at noon Saturday.

Having a championship mentality is something MC head coach Hector Rodriguez preaches to his team and that was something he challenged his players to have after suffering a run-rule loss to New Mexico Military Institute in the second game. The Chaparrals (21-11, 8-4 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference) responded by winning the last two games to finish up with a 2-2 series split.

"Nobody was really excited about having to play Friday," Rodriguez said. "And then Saturday, it was good to see them responding the right way and accepting the challenge that I put forth to the group.

"Our guys keep talking about winning a championship and they know what it takes to do that. They need to go out and execute. I think they're ready for the challenge."

Williams said that Rodriguez is 100% right about having that kind of mentality.

"I think we're a team that's capable of doing it," he said. "I don't feel we've played to that potential yet, but I think we're getting there. We're an older group, we have lots of experience and I think we're peaking at the right time."

Outfielder Caleb Heuertz concurred and said it's going to take a team effort to accomplish their goals this season.

"It's going to take for all of us to buy in and take every day seriously and take no days off," Heuertz said.

Heuertz and Williams both had solid series against NMMI as Heuertz was 6-for-13 with a double, home run, three RBI and five runs scored, and he also had a save in the series finale. Williams was 5-for-12 with two doubles and an RBI from the leadoff spot.

"I'm pretty confident after bouncing back from those first two games against NMMI. I feel really good about how we played on Saturday," said Heuertz, an Angelo State signee. "I think it still keeps us in a good place with where we are in conference right now. Getting those wins were definitely big."

Rodriguez said a good showing against the Wranglers (18-13, 6-6), who are coming off a series split against Howard College, will put his team in good position at the halfway point of conference play.

"This weekend could mean a lot down the road," Rodriguez said. "It's all about a championship mentality. Are you willing to embrace it? Are you willing to do what's needed to be a champion when it's all said and done?"

Follow Oscar on Twitter: @OLeRoy_MRT 

MIDLAND COLLEGE VS. ODESSA COLLEGE

When/where: Doubleheader of 7 and 9 innings beginning at noon Friday, Wrangler Field, Odessa; doubleheader of 7 and 9 innings beginning at noon Saturday, Christensen Stadium

Records: Midland College 21-11, 8-4 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference; Odessa College 18-13, 6-6

Notes: MC coach Hector Rodriguez said his team is excited to play this series. He added not having a mid-week non-conference game was good in terms of allowing some of his players to heal up. … The Chaps will look to stick with the same pitching rotation for this weekend with RHP Luke Young going in game 1, followed by RHP Alizaeh Gutierrez in game 2. RHP Luis Rodriguez will start Saturday's first game, then RHP Jarek Wells will close out the series. … Rodriguez said he expects OC to be tough as usual. "It's a team that does a good job offensively," he said. "(OC coach Kurtis Lay) always finds a way to have them ready to play. We understand that, we understand that we're going to get everybody's best shot. We're going to give them our best shot too. From a pitching standpoint, I think they have got pitching depth and I think they're pretty clean defensively."

2022 WJCAC BASEBALL STANDINGS

LAST WEEKEND'S SERIES

Midland College 2, New Mexico Military Institute 2; Odessa College 2, Howard College 2; New Mexico JC 4, Frank Phillips College 0; El Paso CC 4, Clarendon College 0; Western Texas College was open

THIS WEEKEND'S SERIES

Midland College vs. Odessa College; Frank Phillips College at Howard College; Clarendon College at New Mexico JC; New Mexico Military Institute at Western Texas College; El Paso CC is open

• CLICK HERE for a Complete Chaparral Baseball Schedule