(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College softball team (8-10, 8-10 in ACCAC) bounced back after dropping the first game to earn a doubleheader split on Saturday against No. 17 ranked Arizona Western College (24-11, 12-6).
Freshman Anisah Triste had a great day at the plate going 6 for 7 with three RBIs and three runs scored. Freshman Jazmin Ayala (Sunnyside HS) was 2 for 5 with four RBIs and a run. Freshman Lorisa Martinez was also 2 for 5 with two RBIs, a run scored and two walks but her pitching in the second game helped seal the win for Pima.
Game 1: (17) Arizona Western College Matadors 8, Pima CC Aztecs 4
The Matadors took the lead for good with three runs in the 5th inning and tacked on another three runs in the 7th.
The Aztecs took the lead in the 3rd inning as they loaded the bases with one out. Martinez hit a 2-run RBI single driving in sophomore Giselle Muñoz (Salpointe Catholic HS) and freshman Kayla Gonzales (Salpointe Catholic HS) to tie the game at 2-2. Two batters later, Ayala hit a sacrifice-fly RBI to plate Triste to make it 3-2.
The Aztecs attempted a rally in the 6th inning as Triste hit an RBI single to score Muñoz with one out to cut the deficit to 5-4. The Aztecs loaded the bases but Martinez hit into a double play to end the inning.
Triste finished the game 4 for 4 with an RBI and run. Martinez was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a walk. Muñoz finished 2 for 3 with two runs.
Triste took the loss (4-6) as she pitched a complete-game giving up eight runs (seven earned) on 10 hits with eight strikeouts and four walks.
AWC 1 0 1 0 3 0 3 8 10 0
PCC 0 0 3 0 0 1 0 4 10 2
Game 2: Pima CC Aztecs 6, (17) Arizona Western College Matadors 3
The Aztecs did their damage on offense early in the game as Martinez held off the Matador hitters.
After giving up three runs in the first two innings, Martinez settled in and shut out the Matadors in the final five innings giving up just two hits for the rest of the game. She picked up the win (2-2) as she pitched a complete-game giving up three runs (three earned) on seven hits with one strikeout and one walk on 61 pitches.
The Aztecs tied the game at 2-2 in the 1st inning when Triste hit a 2-run home run with one out plating freshman Lesly Cazares (Desert View HS).
Down 3-2, the Aztecs took the lead for good with four runs in the 3rd inning. Freshman Isabella Escobar hit an RBI single to score Triste to tie the game. Ayala followed with a 3-run homer to left field on the first pitch she saw in the at-bat.
Ayala finished 2 for 3 with three RBIs and a run while Triste went 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored. Escobar was 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run while Martinez went 1 for 2 with a run and a walk.
AWC 2 1 0 00 0 0 3 7 1
PCC 2 0 4 0 0 0 x 6 9 0
The Aztecs will return to the West Campus Aztec Softball Field on Tuesday when they host an ACCAC doubleheader against Central Arizona College. First game starts at 1:00 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Athletics – Raymond Suarez
