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COLLEGE BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: Wranglers sit tied for first in WJCAC standings

Throughout this season, the Odessa College baseball team has had plenty of easy wins and close victories.

After winning two close games in last Friday’s doubleheader against Western Texas College, Odessa College had an easier time in finishing off the Westerners Saturday as the Wranglers won by scores of 15-2 and 13-8 to finish up another sweep against a Western Junior College Athletic Conference opponent.

“What I love about this group is that we’ve been able to win tight games and we’ve been able to win big,” Odessa College head coach David Wood said. “It’s nice to go on the road and give yourself a cushion and that’s helped us take some pressure off our staff.”

The Wranglers’ recent success includes winning 12 of their last 13 games, three of which came in conference series sweeps.

Odessa College currently finds itself tied for first with New Mexico Junior College and Midland College in the WJCAC standings at 22-9 overall, 14-2 in conference.

A close 7-6 loss to Weatherford College last week has been the only defeat for the Wranglers in the last 13 contests.

“Our players’ level of consistency has been at a really high level,” Wood said. “They’re fighting and they’re determined. When we’re down, we’re not out. We’ve had some good performances on the mound. They give us a chance to win. We’ve had big performances all over on our offensive side throughout this run.”

>> MENTAL ASPECTS: Part of the reason for the Wranglers’ success has been focusing on the mental aspects

“We actually do classroom sessions with our guys and we go through audible books and make them listen to different authors that know how to build team leadership, that culture that we’re looking for,” Wood said. “Then, when we’re on the field, we try to stay consistent with what we’re working on. We’re not re-inventing the wheel. We’re just trying to improve, fundamentally and limit mistakes. When we have the opportunity to take advantage on offense, we get the bats when we need them.”

>> EASIER OPPONENTS: however, looking at the Wranglers’ schedule, it’s tough not to notice that they’ve faced some of the lower teams in the conference (with the exception of Midland College, which Odessa College faced to begin WJCAC play).

After splitting their conference-opening series against the No. 7-ranked Chaparrals, the Wranglers faced New Mexico Military Institute (currently 16-18, 4-12), Clarendon College (6-27, 0-16) and Western Texas College (7-28, 2-14).

Wood is aware of this and knows things will get tougher for the Wranglers, starting next week against El Paso Community College.

“This stretch has been a little more favorable, if you want to say that, with who we’ve been playing,” Wood said. “We still have to go out and play. Every team is tough and can beat you at any moment.

But he also knows that the Wranglers can use their recent success as a springboard for more to come.

“What we’re getting ready for is that stretch in conference where we have Howard, New Mexico, Amarillo, El Paso, those are really good opponents. When you win, it gives you more confidence going into those tougher teams.”

>> FRANK PHILLIPS: Odessa College will be back at home this week for a four-game series against Frank Phillips College, beginning with a doubleheader at noon Friday at Wrangler Ballpark.

Both teams will finish up the series with a doubleheader beginning at noon Saturday.

Frank Phillips College (8-26, 2-14) is currently eighth in the WJCAC standings, ahead of only Western Texas College and Clarendon College.

“They have three really good bats in their lineup and the rest is sneaky,” Wood said. “Then on the mound, their four starters are guys that we’re going to have to make work early. If we can drive their pitch count up and get to their bullpen early in games, we’ll have a good shot of doing damage.”

The Plainsmen are currently on a seven-game losing streak with their last win being a 6-5 upset against New Mexico Junior College on March 22.

The only other conference win the Plainsmen have is an 11-9 victory against Howard College from March 17.

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