Defensive highlights are aplenty for sophomore shortstop Payton Bush – the Badgers 2024 defensive MVP and returning all-conference infielder.
Bush’s series-securing grand slam on Saturday against Garden City Community College may very well be the new No. 1 on his most impactful plays list wearing Badger blue.
The Broncbusters elected to intentionally walk AC cleanup hitter Brooks Carter in the final inning of game three to load the bases on their home field. Bush then stepped to plate with two career homers under his belt through 67 collegiate games. The Amarillo native connected for a no-doubter over the left field wall – extending AC’s lead to 8-3.
“Payton Bush has made many outstanding plays as a Badger and that just may top them all,” AC head coach Brandon Rains said. “High-level athletes live for those type of moments and he stepped up in a critical part of that game.”
Garden City entered the frame with a 3-2 advantage on the scoreboard, having led for five consecutive innings, before Bush dashed the Broncbusters comeback hopes.
AC took a 3-0 series lead with a 9-3 game three victory.
“Overall, we performed well and earned a series win on the road,” Rains added. “The pitching staff’s 17 strikeouts and 10 walks during our three wins is right around where we need to be to compete on a weekly basis in the WJCAC”
Freshman Roy Moon threw three hitless innings in relief to earn his first win on the mound as a Badger to begin play on Saturday. Amarillo College opened its final road series of the season on Friday with an 11-4 game one victory and an 18-7 game two win.
Appalachian State baseball signee Logan Tibbett had his most successful outing on the mound. The sophomore righty tallied a career-best eight strikeouts and walked one batter over six frames.
“Tibbett was outstanding and was hitting his spots the entire game. A great showing for him heading into conference this upcoming weekend,” Rains said.
Redshirt freshman Brooks Carter had a team-high three hits and three RBIs in game one.
University of Oklahoma baseball signee Gerardo Prado tallied a team-best five doubles against GC, including one during game one. David De Hoyos, Christian McGuire, and Jacob Sullens added one double each to begin the series.
AC tied their fifth-highest runs scored total in team history during an 18-4 blowout game two victory. The total marked the second-highest mark this season for the Badgers, only behind a 21-11 win over Johnson County.
Badger batters tallied 13 hits and were walked on 14 occasions, which were compiled with four Broncbuster errors. Ellington Jefferson and Gerardo Prado recorded three hits apiece.
Prado finished the contest with a team-best five RBIs.
Jefferson tied the school record for most stolen bases in a game with two in the series opener. The freshman from Dallas proceeded to set the record (three stolen bases) during the final game on Friday.
In game two, Sophomore pitcher Bret Deegan earned his team-best third win of the season after being placed on the hill to conclude the fourth frame. Deegan tallied three strikeouts, two earned runs, and no walks in 3 1/3 innings.
Garden City won the series finale 10-6.
Carter launched AC’s second grand slam of the series over the left centerfield fence in the third inning, giving the Badgers a brief 5-3 lead during the loss. Aidan Young added his first homer of the season in game four to begin the third frame.
AC improved its season record to 7-13 with a 3-1 series to conclude non-conference regular season action.
The Badgers open conference play on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8, against Frank Phillips College. The four-game series will be hosted by AC at West Texas University’s Wilder Park.
First pitch each day is scheduled for noon.