The El Paso Community College Tejanos have hit their first major roadblock in the 2025 baseball season.
The Tejanos, who were ranked No. 21 in the nation by the National Junior College Association entering a key conference series, lost all four home games to No. 11 Midland College, all of which were closely contested games on Sunday and Monday.
How close were El Paso Community College and Midland College?
On Sunday, the Tejanos lost 7-6 and 11-7. On Monday, EPCC lost 8-6 in eight innings (the game was scheduled for seven innings) and 4-3.
In both losses Monday, the Tejanos had chances to win. In the first game, they rallied to tie the game at five to force extra innings, but Midland College scored three runs in the eighth to secure the win.
In the second game, they had the game-tying run thrown out at home plate in the bottom of the sixth inning.
El Paso Community players who shined
- Riverside High School standout Orlando Samaniego drove in two runs and scored a run in two games on Monday.
- Americas High School graduate Adrian Quintana pitched five good innings in Monday’s second game, including a pair of double plays and struck out six.
- Infielder Daniel Ciprian. who hails from New Jersey, hit a home run and double in Monday’s first game.
- Del Valle High School graduate Alan Nava hit a pair of home runs on Sunday.
Where do El Paso Community College and Midland College stand in conference?
The Tejanos are 22-6 overall and 4-4 in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference. Midland College is 22-4 and 6-2 in the WJCAC.
What EPCC coach Julien Soucy said
“We have a strong team and we did some good things vs. Midland. We just have to clean some things up,” Soucy said. “We’ll have to get back to work and get ready for the next series. Midland has a great all-around team. We fought hard and battled all four games.”
What EPCC baseball players Adrian Quintana and Orlando Samaniego said
“We showed we can hit some pretty good arms,” Samaniego said. “I’ve just tried to put together some good at-bats to help my team. We battled hard, we just came up a bit short. We have a chance to bounce back.”
Added Quintana: “I faced a good lineup, made some good pitches. My fastball was good and I located well. I feel we are coming together and we have to keep pushing.”
Up next for EPCC and Midland College
The Tejanos are at Amarillo College on March 21-22 for doubleheaders both days and Midland College is at home for four games vs. New Mexico Military Institute on March 21-22.
Felix F. Chavez can be reached at fchavez@elpasotimes.com; @Fchavezeptimes on X
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