Alamogordo Tigers Split Road Doubleheader with Roswell; Kade Kiss Delivers Dominant Performance in 8-2 Game 2 Victory

ALAMOGORDO, N.M. (March 1, 2026) — The Alamogordo Tigers opened their 2026 baseball season on the road Saturday with a split doubleheader against the Roswell Coyotes, dropping the opener 0-6 before rallying for an 8-2 triumph in the nightcap. The Tigers now stand at 2-1 overall as they prepare to host the Alamogordo Invitational this week.

In Game 1, the Coyotes jumped out early and never looked back, scoring three runs in the first inning and three more in the fifth to blank the Tigers. Senior right-hander Billy Copeland took the loss, going 4 innings and allowing 7 hits, 3 runs (all earned), 2 walks, and striking out 4. Junior Preston Eldred followed with 2 innings of relief, surrendering 4 hits, 3 runs (2 earned), 2 walks, and 1 strikeout.

Offensively, Alamogordo was limited to just one hit — a double by senior Kade Kiss — and managed only a single walk from Aiden McGinnis. The Tigers left 11 runners on base in the shutout defeat.

Game 2 was a different story, with Kiss taking the mound and putting on a masterclass. The senior left-hander fired 5 innings, allowing just 1 hit and 1 run while walking 1 and striking out a whopping 12 batters. Levi Ramirez pitched the sixth (1 hit, 1 run, 1 walk, 1 strikeout), and Jaxson Cole closed it out in the seventh (2 hits).

The Tigers’ bats came alive in support of Kiss, pounding out 9 hits and capitalizing on Roswell miscues to score 8 runs. Key contributors included:

• Brandon Williams: 2-for-3, double, 2 RBI, run, walk

• Aiden Tupper: 2-for-4, two doubles, 2 runs

• Aiden McGinnis: 1-for-2, run, RBI, walk, hit-by-pitch

• Billy Copeland: 1-for-3, run, RBI, walk

• AJ Paz: 1-for-3, RBI

• Jaden Ruiz: 1-for-4, run, RBI, double

• Kade Kiss: 1-for-3, run, walk

• Keegan Stagner: 1-for-2, run, 2 walks

• Jace Thompson: Run scored (pinch runner)

The Tigers trailed early but erupted for multiple runs in the middle innings to secure the win and even the series.

Alamogordo will now return home to host the annual Alamogordo Invitational starting Friday, March 6. The Tigers are scheduled to face Ruidoso and Lovington in pool play, with full tournament brackets and times to be finalized. The event will feature several top programs from across the state and serves as a key early-season test.

The Tigers’ next home games will give local fans their first look at the 2026 squad at Benji Rodriguez Field.

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