(Beatrice, NE) The Pima Community College baseball team (46-15) opened play in the NJCAA West District Tournament on Thursday at Southeast Community College’s Christensen Field as it produced a thrilling ending in extra innings.
Sophomore Andrew Stucky (Canyon del Oro HS) drove a ball deep to left field with one out in the 10th inning as he circled the bags, giving the Aztecs the 9-8 win over McCook Community College (Nebraska) in the opening game of the tournament. It was Stucky’s first hit of the game as he finished 1 for 5 with an RBI, two runs scored and a walk.
“I saw a hanging breaking ball on an 0-2 count. I didn’t even hit it too well, but I was just hoping and praying it would get out,” Stucky said about his game-winner. “There were a lot of ups and downs. Definitely a rollercoaster of emotions but this just shows that we got a lot of extra chances. We got to play better tomorrow.”
The Aztecs saw a 7-2 lead evaporate as the Indians scored five runs in the 8th inning. They took an 8-7 advantage on a passed ball in the 9th inning.
Freshman Benji Cazares (Tucson Magnet HS) reached base on a walk to start off the bottom of the 9th inning. Freshman Elijah Reeves (Marana HS) came in to pinch run as he stole second base and reach third base after a balk. That brought up sophomore Rocco Gump (Seton Catholic HS) with one out, and he delivered on an RBI double to center field to tie the game at 8-8.
The Aztecs got on the board in the 1st inning when Cazares hit an RBI double to score sophomore Gage Mestas. Sophomore Braedon Mondeau (Cienega HS) made it 2-0 with a RBI single to plate Gump in the 4th inning.
The Aztecs scored two more runs in the 5th inning frame when Mestas was brought in after a balk and Cazares hit a groundout to score Stucky and make it 4-0. Mestas put the score at 6-2 in the 6th inning with a two-run RBI single to drive in Gump and sophomore Luis Garcia (Salpointe Catholic HS). Sophomore Joey Adge drew a bases loaded walk in the 7th as Pima increased the lead to 7-2.
Mestas finished the game 2 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs while Gump went 3 for 5 with an RBI, two runs scored and three doubles. Cazares was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and two walks.
Sophomore Matt Cornelius/Photo by Stephanie van Latum
Freshman J.T. Drake picked up the win after he pitched the final three innings, giving up one run (one earned) on four hits with five strikeouts and two walks on 74 pitches. Sophomore Matt Cornelius started the game and threw seven innings, giving up two runs (none earned) on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks on 95 pitches.
“I just trusted my defense; going in there and padding the strike zone and also competing with myself,” Cornelius said about his start. “The coaches told me and the other starters before me, ‘Just compete with yourself. Make this a game on how many strikes you can throw,’ and it worked.
“Great job by (catcher) Joey (Adge) back there mixing the pitches and keeping them off balance. Little hiccups here and there but we did the job. It was definitely nerve-wracking, but Pima U likes to keep it interesting and we came out on top. As long as we got the “W.”
The Aztecs are back on the field on Friday at 3:00 p.m. (CDT) (1:00 p.m. Tucson time) against the winner of Salt Lake Community College/Southeast Community College.
*Game is in process at the time of sending out this press release. Opponent will be announced on pimaaztecs.com and Pima Athletics social media pages.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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