Chap Baseball Splits Series with NMJC, Looks to Move Up in WJCAC Standings

By Forrest Allen
Midland College Athletic Director

Midland College baseball coach David Coleman feels good about the Chap's future. The Chaps are one of the youngest teams in the WJCAC and routinely play as many as seven freshmen in one of the toughest leagues in the country. With such an inexperienced lineup the upstart Chaparrals appear to be reaching maturity before Coleman's eyes.

Having recorded a split with second place New Mexico Junior College as well as with #8 ranked and WJCAC leader, Howard College, the Chaps appear to be positioned well to advance to the post-season and the 2012 NJCAA Region V Tournament (May 12-16) at Dan Law Field on the campus of Texas Tech University. However Coleman and the "Baby Chaps" will need to navigate the remainder of the WJCAC race with caution and with respect for their remaining opponents.

The Chaparrals, 21-16 overall and 7-9 in the WJCAC, opened their four game series with NMJC with a double-header at Christensen Stadium (Midland) on Friday followed by two games in Hobbs (NM) on the campus of New Mexico Junior College. Each team recorded wins on their respective home field. Scores from the series were 6-5 and 6-4 in Midland and 5-3 and 5-1 in Hobbs.

MC freshman hurler Jake Bateman (4-0, 0.46 ERA) was spectacular in games one and two, recording a win and a save at Christensen. In New Mexico Midland's Keanu Ramos (1-1, 4.99 ERA) and Jayden O'Dell (1-4, 6.14 ERA) suffered losses on the mound.

This season the Chaps are led by former Midland Lee standout Nick Salois (.475 BA, 19 H, .775 SLG%, 11 BB), freshman Tyler Barlow (.363 BA, 29 H, .438 SLG%, 14 BB), freshman second baseman Matt Reyes (.342 BA, 40 H, .487 SLG%, 9 BB). Midland High School graduate Reyes is paying dividends as the Chap's leadoff hitter this season.

Midland College pitchers Bateman, Levi Westerlund (3-1, 3.93 ERA, 23 SO) and freshman Jeremy Filipek (5-2, 4.00 ERA, 23 SO) lead a solid and reliable rotation for Coleman. Bateman ranks 29th in the NJCAA in pitching while Salois ranks #29 in hitting (.475) and 16th in OBP this season.

The Chaparrals will need a strong finish with 12 WJCAC games left to play. MC will take on rival Odessa College beginning on April 13 (Christensen) and April 14 (American Legion Field in Odessa). Following the OC series, MC will host Frank Phillips College in a four game series at Christensen and four road games with El Paso Community College. Finally the Chaps will host New Mexico Military Institute in a four game homestand to end the regular season. Of the Chaps last four conference opponents, only Frank Phillips College is currently ahead of Midland College in the standings (one game).

Season Standings (as of 04-08-12):www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Conference/

Individual Stats (as of 04-08-12):www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Team/Individual