Texas Bombers fire heavy artillery in win over Cal Nuggets

By Dan Mohrmann

COLORADO SPRINGS – A fast start can mean all the difference in a big tournament atmosphere. That’s why Texas Bombers coach Albert Ramirez was so happy to see his team plate a high quantity of runs early in its 14-3 win over the Cal Nuggets in the Sparkler Juniors tournament at the Skyview Complex in Colorado Springs.

Having been involved in a highly competitive atmosphere on a regular basis, Ramirez knows that jumping out quick can mean all the difference the team is trying to work its way towards a tournament championship.

“Time is on your hands,” Ramirez said. “You have to score quick because you never know many innings you’re going to get into.”

The Bombers got their momentum rolling on an RBI double from catcher Abigail Orosco (Suarez) in the top of the 2nd inning. Three hitters later, with the bases laoded, Rae Ramos singled in three runs to break open a 4-0 lead for the Bombers.

“Being together as a team, it’s really important to pick each other up,” Ramos said.

That’s exactly what they kept doing.

The Bombers added four runs in the top of the 3rd to push the lead to 8-0 before the Nuggets finally found some offensive rhythm of their own.

Nish Mehta ripped a 2-RBI triple to score Allie Marcelino and Ava Lee. Mehta scored that same play as a throwing error gave her a clear path to home. 

But that was the only damage that would be done on their end.

The Bombers kept taking their hacks and good things kept happening. Both Orosco (Suarez) and Ramos drove in three runs and they each scored once. For the game, the team had an overall batting average of .594.

What’s most impressive is that only hitter managed to strikeout. Even if the Bombers were hitting successfully, they were still putting the ball in play which can be crucial in a tight tournament game.

Combined with Jenise Ramirez, Allison Hernandez and Reahna Cuellar throwing a combined five innings and allowing just four hits and two earned runs, it was a solid performance by the Bombers.

“They were really consistent with their pitches<” Orosco (Suarez) said. “I really trusted them. They usually get us out of the innings. They’ll do anything.”

With the win over the Nuggets, the Bombers improved to 6-0 in tournament play. They’ve scored a combined 59 runs in their games and hope they can keep scoring with such efficiency. 

“A lot of them try to get underneath the ball to drive it,” Ramirez said. “We kept telling them to cut the ball in half and see it out of (the pitcher’s) hand. That’s what we preach. These girls are really good hitters and they displayed that today.”

They displayed it all tournament. The big hope is that they can keep the bats hot for four more games in order to come away with a tournament win.