Bluejay baseball team plays well in latter portion of trip to Arizona

Minnesota West's baseball team won four of its final five games on its trip to Arizona this past week.

The run started with a 13-10 eight-inning win over Minnesota North College-Rainy River on Wednesday the 11th. Eliecer Gonzalez had three hits in the game for the Bluejays while scoring twice and driving in four runs. Noah Garcia also had three hits, including a pair of doubles, and scored three runs while driving in two. Johan Mendoza homered in the game.

After a loss to Riverland the next day in the first of two games, Minnesota West bounced back to top Central Lakes 5-1. Tucker Brandner allowed just three hits and one run on the mound while striking out nine over five innings. Shahir Brahim, Ales Zhao and Mendoza each had a pair of hits.  

On Friday, the Bluejays rallied for three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to walk off Dakota College at Bottineau 5-4. Sam Palfini didn't allow an earned run in his 5 2/3 innings of pitching; he gave up just three hits and walked three to go along with seven strikeouts.

Minnesota West also topped Central Lakes 11-1 on Friday. with Gonzalez collecting three hits in the game and Bryker Smith two hits and three RBIs. The 7-8 Bluejays are next scheduled to play four games this weekend at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls.