(Mesa, AZ) The Pima Community College baseball team (7-0) opened play in the Zinger Classic on Friday at Sloan Park, the Chicago Cubs Spring Training Facility, in Mesa.
The Aztecs overcame an early deficit to beat GateWay Community College 9-3 in a non-conference game.
After giving up a run in the 1st inning, sophomore Jaren Jackson got 11 straight outs between the 2nd and 5th innings. He picked up the win (2-0) after pitching six innings giving up one run (none earned) on four hits with seven strikeouts and no walks.
The Aztecs tied the game in the 2nd inning when sophomore Fernando Loera hit a lead-off double. Freshman Preston Clifford (Sabino HS) hit a fielder’s choice and Loera was able to score.
Pima took the lead for good in the 4th inning with two runs. Sophomore Emilio Corona hit an RBI triple to bring in sophomore Josh Lackner, who reach based on an error earlier in the inning. Corona later scored to make it 3-1 on Clifford’s groundout.
The Aztecs helped their cause with five runs in the 9th inning. Freshman Braedon Mondeau (Cienega HS) hit a 2-run RBI triple to bring in freshmen Trent Kiraly and Andrew Stucky (Canyon del Oro HS) to make it 8-1. Earlier in the inning, Kiraly hit an RBI single and Stucky drove in a run with double. Corona hit a sacrifice-fly RBI to cap off the inning.
Corona finished the game 2 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs scored while Loera was 2 for 3 with a run and two walks. Mondeau went 1 for 2 with two RBIs and a run. Clifford finished 1 for 5 with three RBIs.
The Aztecs will play a doubleheader in Saturday’s action of the Zinger Classic. They will face off against South Mountain Community College at 9:30 a.m. in a non-conference game and close out the day against Salt Lake Community College at 1:30 p.m.
Pima 0 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 5 9 10 0
GWCC 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 8 3
W – Jackson (2-0). 2B: Loera, Stucky. 3B: Corona, Mondeau. SB: Loera 2.
