A record-breaking offensive onslaught led the Amarillo College baseball team to its second conference sweep in team history on Monday against Frank Phillips College.

The Badgers hit 11 homers and scored a program-record 68 runs on the way to a 4-0 start in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference at West Texas A&M’s Wilder Park.

“There’s no question we’re one of the top offenses in the country,” Rains said. “We have sophomores with an abundance of experience and they’re firing on all cylinders.”

AC tied the single-game scoring record in game four, which included six home runs, during a 22-12 mercy-rule rout. Brandon Dickinson, David De Hoyos, Payton Bush, Jacob Sullens, Aidan Young, and Zyon Hamilton went yard in the series finale.

“They had high-level bats throughout the series,” Rains said. “They never let up no matter the score.”

On the hill, freshman Zack Mullen claimed his first victory. The Dewar, Oklahoma native got the game four nod and gave up one earned run and no walks in three innings of work. The series opener proved to be the most competitive of the four-game matchup. AC trailed 6-2 heading into the bottom of the third inning.

An RBI single by Bush in the bottom of third and a four-run fourth inning by the Badgers narrowed the Plainsmen’s advantage to 8-7 heading into the fifth inning. One of the Badgers most productive relivers this spring – freshman Ja’Marcus Smith – was then placed on the mound for the final three frames.

Frank Phillips was unable to score a run from that point forward.

Smith, a Lubbock native, tallied four strikeouts while etching a zero in the walk column to earn his first win as a Badger.

“Our hitting was really effective but what can’t be overlooked was the quality innings thrown by Ja’Marcus Smith, Trent Bower, Zack Mullen, and Roy Moon,” Rains said. “Those four pitchers were at the top of their game.”

Redshirt freshman catcher Dylan Steele sealed the comeback victory with a three-run double, breaking an 8-8 tie in the sixth inning.

AC claimed its first run-rule victory of the series via a 19-9 game two win to conclude play on Friday. The Badgers scratched out seven hits in the first inning, including a two-run homer by Bush to take an 8-2 lead after one frame.

FPC cut the Badgers lead to 8-6 with a four-run third inning before AC plated 10 runs in the bottom of the frame to put the game out of reach at 18-6.

Trent Bower picked up the second win of his freshman campaign to begin play on Monday. Bower was spotless during his four-inning stint as the game three starter.

The Colleyville Heritage High School product gave up no earned runs or walks. AC built a 16-0 lead during Bower’s time on the mound. Gerardo Prado and Young hit their second homers of 2025 in the contest.

Dickinson, Bush, Sullens, and Steele added one double apiece. The Plainsmen’s rally started as soon as Bower was an onlooker.

Frank Phillips scored seven runs in the seventh to prevent a run-rule stoppage. FPC went on to score two runs in the sixth frame and five in the seventh before a Jake Bumgardner strikeout ended the game in favor of the Badgers at 16-14. The Plainsmen tallied 12 of their 15 hits in the final three innings.

“Overall, we’re hoping to get more consistent as the season progresses with the rest of our pitchers,” Rains noted.

Despite the close call, the plus-25 run differential magnified the lethal potency of the Badgers offense.

Bush signs with Angelo State

One of the top baseball players from the Texas Panhandle and returning all-conference infielder at Amarillo College has decided on his next destination.

Badger shortstop and Randall graduate Payton Bush announced his commitment to play for Angelo State University next season on social media Thursday morning.

“He’s one of the best defensive players I’ve seen in my last 25 years coaching,” AC head coach Brandon Rains said. “He a very selfless teammate and hard-nosed worker. Angelo State is getting an outstanding player and even better human being.”

The Badgers 2024 Defensive MVP will join ASU’s NCAA Division II powerhouse program and 2023 national champions following his sophomore campaign with AC.

“I want to thank the Lord above, my family, friends, and coaches for helping me get to this point,” Bush said. “I’m extremely excited to continue my baseball career with the Rams and coach Brooks. They’re an elite program and compete for championships every season.”

As a freshman, Bush was named to the Western Junior College Athletic Conference Honorable Mention team as an infielder. In addition to his role at second base, Bush proved his superior versatility – lining up at catcher, pitcher, and shortstop.

He was the only player to slot at four different positions a season ago.

Bush had the fourth-highest batting average (.396) on the team and tied for the team lead in the stolen bases column during conference play.

The sophomore is coming off his most productive series at the plate in his AC career last weekend. The former three-time all-state baseball honoree at Randall High School hit his first collegiate grand slam while recording a .438 batting average during the Badgers four-game road series in Garden City, Kansas.