BASEBALL: Peña leads Chaps into key series with WTC

By Oscar LeRoy
Midland Reporter-Telegram

MIDLAND, TEXAS - Like he always has, Gibrian Pena is ready to leave it all on the Christensen Stadium field on Friday afternoon.

The Odessa High graduate and first baseman for the Midland College baseball team will be one of 19 second-year players for the Chaparrals who will honored in their their final regular-season home games on Friday as MC hosts Western Texas College. MC will be hosting the NJCAA Region V Tournament beginning on May 13.

Friday's doubleheader, which begins at noon, will be key for both the Chaps (34-14, 17-7 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference) and the Westerners (28-15, 17-7) as they are part of a three-way tie with New Mexico Junior College. The series switches to Snyder for a doubleheader beginning at noon Saturday.

"It's sad, but at the same time it's exciting," said Pena, who is still classified as a freshman thanks to an added year of eligibility because of the pandemic. "I'm grateful that I got to play here. I'm just ready to leave it all the on the field for one last time at home."

Gibrian Peña

For the last two seasons, Pena has been a key part of the team, but this year, he's been a reliable hitter in the middle of the order. He's batting .353 with five home runs, 38 RBI and has stolen 11 bases.

"At the plate, he's a guy who's done a good job," MC coach Hector Rodriguez said. "Sometimes he tries to do a little too much, but he's put up some really good numbers for us. He's gotten some really good hits for us. He's a guy who you pull for in the dugout, love everything about him and he really is the heartbeat of our team."

Added Pena: "I think I've been playing pretty well. Obviously, I wished I played better, just like everybody else. I just want to do my part on the team. The first year I struggled. I had a lot of things going on in my life, but this year I bounced back and showed them the player I can be and hopefully still improve as a player."

Pena has also made a smooth transition to first base. The former shortstop with the Bronchos played a lot at third base last year, but Rodriguez said Pena has taken his middle infield skills and has applied them to first base.

But it doesn't seem to matter where Pena plays, Rodriguez knows he's going to give it his all.

"My motivation is to help my team out in every single way that I can and do my part on game day," Pena said. "I try to lead by example, bring energy and have fun to help the guys play loose, but at the same time, I work hard so that everybody can see me and follow in my footsteps. Hopefully they see that I'm working hard and busting my butt every day.

"I'm glad to have these guys beside me to push me every single day in and day out in practice It's a good and fun atmosphere to be around."

Pena said he's still looking for a four-year program to attend as he would like to continue playing baseball at the college level.

"He's playing with a chip on his shoulder," Rodriguez said. "He's been in contact with some schools but nothing yet. The one thing I like about Pena is he is where his feet are. Yeah, he worries about where he's going to go next but he's all about winning right now, all about getting the 'W,' he's all about winning the regional tournament. He's such an unselfish-type player that those are the guys you want playing every day and batting in the middle of your order."

Pena said he's also loved the fact that he got to play close to home the last two years.

"It's meant a lot because I've been able to have my family come watch me at my home games and I get to represent the area and the city that I'm from," he said.

Follow Oscar on Twitter: @OLeRoy_MRT 

MIDLAND COLLEGE VS. WESTERN TEXAS COLLEGE

When/where: Doubleheaders of 7 and 9 innings beginning at noon Friday, Christensen Stadium and then at noon Saturday, Snyder

Records: Midland College 31-15, 17-7 in Western Junior College Athletic Conference; Western Texas College 28-15, 17-7

Notes: El Paso CC recently had to forfeit two games to WTC and two games to New Mexico Military Institute because of the use of an ineligible player. Because of the forfeits, it put WTC in a tie for first in the WJCAC. …  The Chaparrals were open in WJCAC play last week and MC coach Hector Rodriguez said his team should be ready to play. "They know what's in front of them, they know where they are in the standings, they're paying attention," Rodriguez said. "It's always encouraging to see them stay in the present and not look past game one. We need to try to come out and win the first game and see if we can try to create some momentum into winning the series if possible. If we don't win the first game, just move on to the next one, get a good, quality start, get a good offensive approach going and win that second one if we have to." …  Ace right-hander Luke Young will start Friday's first game, followed by right-hander Jarek Wells. Fellow second-year RHP Luis Rodriguez will start game three, while the series finale starter is to be determined.

2022 WJCAC BASEBALL STANDINGS

LAST WEEKEND'S SERIES

Howard College 2, Western Texas College 2; Odessa College 4, Clarendon College 0; New Mexico JC 3, El Paso CC 1; New Mexico Military Institute 3, Frank Phillips College 1; Midland College was open

THIS WEEKEND'S SERIES

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

• CLICK HERE for a Complete Chaparral Baseball Schedule