(Tucson, AZ) The Pima Community College baseball program (45-16) is back on top of NJCAA Region I, Division I and is headed to the West District Tournament after winning the deciding Game Three in the Championship series.
The No. 3 seeded Aztecs defeated No. 4 Arizona Western College 6-4 on Saturday at the West Campus Aztec Field to win Pima’s first Region I, Division I Championship since 1998. It was also the program’s first trip to the Region I, Division I Finals since 2005.
“This feels great, I’m so proud of these guys. All the effort and hard work. I just don’t even know what to say,” Pima baseball coach Ken Jacome said. “I’m super proud of what they’re able to accomplish. Winning Region I is really hard, and they did a great job.”
With the score knotted at 3-3 in the top of the 7th inning, the Matadors got back-to-back hits to start the inning. The Aztecs went to their bullpen and freshman J.T. Drake, the NJCAA Division I saves leader, came on to pitch. He got a fielder’s choice out at third base, a strikeout and a flyout to end the threat.
The Aztecs took advantage as they reclaimed the lead in the bottom-half of the 7th. Sophomore Joey Adge led off with a single. Pinch runner Elijah Reeves (Marana HS) came in and got moved over to second after sophomore Luis Garcia’s (Salpointe Catholic HS) sacrifice. Sophomore Gage Mestas hit a sharp RBI single to left field to score Reeves as Pima took the lead at 4-3. Sophomore Andrew Stucky (Canyon del Oro HS) followed suit with an RBI single to center field to plate Mestas. Stucky scored the third run of the frame on an error to make it 6-3.
Drake got a strikeout, and despite giving up a single, got a double-play ball to end the 8th. He gave up a double, a single and a walk to load the bases in the 9th with no outs. Sophomore Braedon Mondeau (Cienega HS) made a play to Garcia to get the out at second base. The Aztecs got a 4-6-3 double-play to seal it.
“It was a huge momentum swing. J.T. has been like that all year. He’s the best in the country. I’ll say it over-and-over again,” Jacome said.
Drake got the win and pitched three innings, giving up one run (one earned) on three hits with two strikeouts and one walk. He was named the NJCAA Region I, Division I Championship Series Most Valuable Player. He went 2-0, pitching four and one-third innings, giving up one run (one earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and one walk in his two appearances.
“It’s awesome and an honor (to be the MVP). It may be stressful but you always got to stay calm. It’s my big thing to control my breathing and try to execute in any way I can. Getting double-play balls is also huge for me,” Drake said about the pressure situations with runners on base in the 7th and 9th innings. “It’s something special to be a part of this squad.”
The Aztecs struck first with three runs in the 1st inning. Sophomore Hunter Faildo and freshman Benji Cazares (Tucson Magnet HS) hit back-to-back RBI singles to score Mestas and Stucky respectively. Sophomore Rocco Gump (Seton Catholic HS) made it 3-0 with a sacrifice-fly RBI.
“We came out in the first inning with a lot of energy and fired up to play, “sophomore Andrew Stucky said. “We kind of fell flat in those middle innings. We got the fire back up in the 7th and strung some ABs together and just played with each other.
“I was trying not to do too much, I was struggling this game so really just trying to help the team out and bring another run in (in the 7th inning). Everyone did a great job of getting on base and scoring runs.”
The top of the batting order of Mestas and Stucky combined to go 4 for 6 with two RBIs and four runs scored. Stucky finished the game 1 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored while Mestas was a flawless 3 for 3 with an RBI and two runs. Faildo was 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run.
Coach Jacome had someone on his mind after the win.
“I’m fortunate that I had an opportunity to come here and (former baseball coach and Athletic Director) Edgar Soto hired me and gave me a chance to help build a program,” Jacome said. “I’m so thankful for the guys that have coached before me. For me, this is for Coach (Rich) Alday, it really is. He’s my guy. He’s not with us anymore. He built this program and I’m excited we have the opportunity to move forward.”
The Aztecs will play at the NJCAA West District Tournament from Thursday-Saturday, May 18-20. Location and schedule is TBA.
AWC 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 1 4 13 1
PCC 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 x 6 7 1
W – Drake (2-0). 2B: Mestas. SB: Mestas, Gump.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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