At the mid-point of the Farmington (N.M.) Mickey Mantle baseball season, the Cortez Raptors have achieved an 8-1-1 record.
On June 9, the Raptors faced the Farmington Brewers in the first game of a doubleheader. Behind the pitching of Ian Roberson (four innings, no strikeouts, no walks and three runs) and Raudy Castillo (one inning, one strikeout, two walks and three runs), the Raptors sailed to a 19-6 win.
Dayne Black and Castillo each recorded five runs batted in, with Black going 2-for-2 and Castillo going 2-for-3 at the plate. Taren Lanier and Konnar McGee each hit 2-of-4. Adding a RBI to their season totals, were Eddie Martinez, Bridger Brenner, Andrew Laymon and Kellen Gatzke. Martinez and Roberson each stole a base.
The second game of the doubleheader saw the Raptors face the Shiprock Athletics. Laymon pitched a complete game, tallying 10 Ks, two walks and two runs, leading the Raptors to a 15-2 win.
Roberson went for a personal best 4-for-4 at the plate with a triple in the first inning and a double in the fifth inning. He recorded two RBIs and two stolen bases. Brenner was 2-of-4, totaling four RBIs. Joe Whyte knocked in three RBIs. McGee ripped a double to center field during the second inning, plating two Raptors. Black also sent a ball flying to right-center for a double in the fourth inning.
On Wednesday, June 13, the Raptors faced New Mexicos more experienced Gallup Aces. The teams were deadlocked 6-6, but the game was called due to time limitations, which resulted in a tie. McGee pitched a full seven innings and recorded eight strikeouts, two walks and six runs.
Castillo was the outstanding batter, going 2-for-4, while Lanier blasted a double to left field during the fifth inning. Whyte, Laymon, McGee and Gatzke all recorded a RBI apiece. Laymon, Gatzke and Martinez each stole one base.
Last Saturday saw the Raptors in action again in a doubleheader at Farmington. In the first game, the Raptors faced the Shiprock Braves and emerged with a easy 23-9 win.
Black pitched three innings, recording three strikeouts, four walks and eight runs in the win. Roberson pitched in relief for one inning, tallying two strikeouts, no walks and one run for the save.
There were several outstanding batting performances on the Raptors team. McGee hit 2-of-3 with a triple and three RBIs. Roberson went 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs and two stolen bases. Martinez went 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two stolen bases. Laymon was a perfect 3-of-3 with a double, RBI and stolen base. Gatzke added three RBIs to his season total, while Whyte, Castillo and Black each had two RBIs. Lanier and Brenner added one RBI each.
The second game of the doubleheader once again saw the Raptors face the Farmington Brewers. Cortez triumphed, 14-2.
Gatzke pitched the full game for the win with one strikeout, three walks and two runs in five innings.
On offense, Whyte and Lanier turned in superb performances. Whyte hit a flawless 3-for-3 with 3 RBIs and Lanier went 2-of-2 with five RBIs. Roberson, Black, Castillo and Gatzke also recorded one RBI each. Martinez sped to three stolen bases, while Kevin Morales took two and Gatzke stole one.
The Raptors play a home doubleheader versus the Shiprock As at Parque de Vida on Saturday at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
