Apaches Hunt Down #3 Coyotes 9–5 Behind Ruedas’ Blast and Bullpen Brilliance

TYLER, TX — A two-run homer by shortstop Nico Ruedas in the bottom of the seventh inning helped power TJC to a 9–5 comeback win over #3 Weatherford on Monday, as the Apaches stayed alive in an incredibly tight Region XIV North playoff race with just one series left in the regular season.

TJC racked up 12 hits and overcame early deficits to take control late, scoring four unanswered runs across the seventh and eighth innings to seal the win.

Early Fireworks and Seesaw Action

The Coyotes struck first in the opening inning on a wild pitch, but the Apaches immediately countered. Levi Risenhoover knocked in a run with a single and later scored on a catcher's error to give TJC a 2–1 lead.

Weatherford posted a three-run third to jump back ahead 4–2, but the Apaches responded again. Gabe Flores delivered a two-run single, followed by an RBI knock from Josiah Mackey that gave TJC a brief 5–4 lead. Weatherford tied it again in the sixth before Ruedas' bat shifted the game for good.

Ruedas Delivers, Bullpen Locks It Down

With the game tied in the seventh, Ruedas launched a two-run homer to left, scoring Grayson Lincecum and giving the Apaches a 7–5 lead. TJC added two more in the eighth on a Sammy Kelley groundout and Cam Credeur RBI single.

While starter Dane LeMaster struggled with command (7 walks in 2.1 IP), the Apache bullpen took over. Jonathan Greve (2–0) earned the win with two scoreless innings, and Tyler Chapman tossed a clean ninth to close it out. TJC pitchers allowed just six hits while striking out eight.

Offensive Leaders

• Nico Ruedas: 1-for-4, HR, 2 RBI

• Gabe Flores: 1-for-4, 2 RBI

• Grayson Lincecum: 2-for-3, 2 R, BB

• Levi Risenhoover: 2-for-3, RBI, 2B, SB

Regional Tournament Picture: Every Game Matters

The Apaches currently sit at 14–13 in Region XIV North play, currently holding third place. Bossier Parish leads the way at 16–11, with Panola just ahead of TJC at 14–10.

Right behind the Apaches are Northeast Texas and Navarro, both sitting at 12–12, and very much within striking distance.

Northeast Texas is slated to face Angelina (8–16), while Navarro takes on Paris (11–13) before finishing the season against Northeast — setting up a wild, winner-take-all finish across the conference.

Only four teams will advance to the Region XIV Tournament, and with six teams still in contention, every inning down the stretch could swing the postseason picture.

Up Next

TJC wraps up its regular season with a pivotal three-game set against Panola — a single game on the road Wednesday at 2 p.m., followed by a doubleheader at home Saturday starting at 1 p.m. With the postseason hanging in the balance, the Apaches are looking to finish strong and punch their ticket to the tournament.