2005 Baseball News

2005 NMJC Coaching Staff: Jimmy Durham, Ray Birmingham, Jason Matthews

Baseball Coaches

NMJC World Series Bound

May 17, 05 — Abilene, TX. NMJC capped off a stellar NJCAA Region V Tournament on Tuesday, beating the Temple College Leopards, 5-3, to claim the school’s first regional title. More importantly, the win secures the TBirds a spot in the NJCAA World Series, which begins on May 28 in Grand Junction, Colo. The T-Birds open the World Series May 29, facing the winner of the Kansas regional tournament — either Hutchinson Community College or Garden City Community College.

Coach Birmingham Named Coach of the Year

May 12, 05 — Hobbs, NM. NMJC Baseball coach Ray Birmingham has been named coach of the year in the WJCAC for the 2005 season after the Thunderbird baseball team won the conference championship. It is Coach Birmingham’s seventh coach of the year award in 15 years. During the season NMJC won the national team batting championship with a .411 avg. The seventh time NMJC has won the title. NMJC was ranked 5th nationally heading into the playoffs this weekend in Abilene. It was the 11th time NMJC was ranked nationally. Coach Birmingham won his 700th collegiate victory this year during a 7-1 no-hitter by Josh Giles in Clarendon. He now has 922 coaching victories including H.S. and College.

Thunderbirds Are Conference Champs

May 3, 05 — Hobbs, NM. The 2004-2005 T-Birds are Conference Champs with a record of 46-10, and 22-6 in WJCAC games. Congratuations to all the T-Bird Baseball players.

Updates on Former T-Birds

March 31, 05 — Hobbs, NM.

Mike Vento (OF) 1997 - The Associated Press reports the New York Yankees signed OF Mike Vento to a minor league deal Friday, Jan. 28.
Mitch Goins (P) 2003/2004 - Royals. MLB.com's Alan Eskew reports the Kansas City Royals signed 26th-round draft pick P Mitch Goins (New Mexico Junior College). Mitch has recent sore arm problems, but was pitching in the 94 mph range before arm problems.
Luiz Rodriquez 2004 - With 50 at bats with the Texas Rangers AA team, Luiz is batting .500.
John Lujan (P) 2004 - The Texas Rangers has listed John as one of the top 10 prospects listed in their organization.
Ryan McKellar (P) 2003 - While pitching for the Houston Astros, Ryan has pitched 98 mph and is the top pitching prospect in their organization.
Brendan Donnelly (P) 1991/1992 - With a limited 2004 season, due to nose and elbow surgery, Brendan is healthy and is possibly going to be listed as a closer for the Anaheim Angels.
Mitch Arnold (P) 2001 - As a closer for the Anaheim Angels Class A Team, Mitch has been striking out 2 batters per inning.
Buzz Vargas (P) 2003 - During Spring Training for the Colorado Rockies, Buzz has an ERA of 3.45.
John Wilson (P) 2002 - With the Class A Texas Rangers, John has lowered his ERA to 4.00.
J.H. Marquardt (INF) 2003/2004 - Former Third Baseman T-Bird, J.H. is playing Division I Level ball and is batting over .300 at the University of Arkansas.
Logan Parker (INF) 2003/2004 - Playing First Base at the University of Cincinnati, Logan has become the leading hitter.
Kevin Smith (P) 2003/2004 - Kevin has become a closer for Angelo State.
Tabor Woolard (P) 2002 - Tabor pitched a perfect game for Oklahoma Baptist on March 7, 2005 in under 90 minutes of play. Oklahoma Baptist beat Peru State by a score of 3-0.
Vince Davis - Arizona Diamondbacks AA player Vince Davis paid a visit to the current T-Birds while they were playing at the Tucson Tournament.
Bryan Kozlowski (P) 1995 - Former RHP First Team All American, Bryan was named West Coast Manager at Apple Computers®. Bryan was originally drafted by the Florida Marlins in 1997.
Ryan Anholt (INF SS) 1996 - Ryan is a proud father and is currently working at a medical staff recruiting company in Dallas, TX.
Jason Columbus - With the San Francisco Giants High A Team, Jason was batting .295 with 15 homeruns, and 75 RBI's.
Josh Birmingham - Josh graduated from Nebraska after a World Series appearance and winning the Big 12 Championship. He is currently attending law school at Tulsa University.

If you are a former T-Bird player or you know the location of any former players, supporters, fans, etc. of the T-Bird baseball team, please email Coach Birmingham so that he can add you to the mailing list with plans to form a Players' Reunion in 2006.

Eli Elicerio throws the first Perfect Game in T-Bird History

March 1, 05 — Hobbs, NM. Eli Elicerio faced 21 batters while striking out 11 LCU JV players. The T-Birds won the 7 inning contest by a score of 18 - 0. This makes them 16 - 0 in non-league contests this season. Good job Eli and the rest of the T-Bird Baseball Team.

:2003 Schedule, Scores & Stories: :2003 Roster: :2003 Hitting Stats: :2003 Pitching Stats: :2003 Fielding Stats: :2004 Baseball Home Page: :2004 Schedule & Scores: :2004 Roster: :2004 Player Profiles: :2004 News: :2004 Statistics: :2005 Baseball Home Page: :2005 Schedule & Scores: :2005 Roster: :2005 Player Profiles: :2005 Statistics: :2005 JUCO Championship: :2006 Baseball Home: :2006 Schedule & Scores: :2006 Roster: :2006 Player Profiles: :2006 News: :2006 Statistics: :2007 Baseball Home: :2007 Schedule & Scores: :Fall 2006 Scrimmages: :2007 Roster: :2007 Player Profiles: :2007 News: :2007 Statistics: