(Phoenix, AZ) The Pima Community College softball team (48-7) opened play at the Region I, Division II Tournament on Thursday at Phoenix College.
The No. 2 seeded Aztecs defeated No. 3 South Mountain Community College 6-0 to advance in the winner’s bracket.
W – Flores (19-3). 2B: Martin. 3B: Martin. HR: Nunez.
Sophomore Talia Martin (Mountain View HS) hit a lead-off triple in the 1st inning and was driven in by sophomore Aubrey Marx (Cienega HS).
Freshman Jiselle Nunez (Tucson Magnet HS) added to the lead in the 3rd inning when she hit a two-run home run to center field bringing around Marx to make it 3-0. Marx singled with two outs to reach base.
The Aztecs loaded the bases with one out in the 4th inning. Sophomore Cheyanne Ortiz (Tucson Magnet HS) hit a single, freshman Amerika Lopez-Bedoy (Sunnyside HS) was hit by a pitch and freshman Clarissa Figueroa (Mountain View HS) drew a walk. Martin came through on a double to center field scoring pinch runners Sariah Ferrentino (Sabino HS) and Nevaeh Bracamonte. Marx followed with an RBI single to plate Figueroa.
Martin, Marx and Nunez, the top three hitters in the batting order, combined to go 6 for 9 with six RBIs and three runs scored. Martin finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs and a run while Marx was 3 for 3 with two RBIs and a run. Nunez went 1 for 2 with two RBIs and a run.
“With it being the first game of Regionals, we had to get it going, we had to get the energy up,” Martin said. “I think everyone really followed through with that (it started) with Aubrey scoring me (in the 1st inning).”
Marx talked about the impact of Nunez’s home run in the 3rd inning. It was her 21st homer of the season.
“That thing was beautiful. It was her time, and it had been a little while with her walks in the previous games, but she was due,” Marx said. “She did exactly what she needed to do.”
Sophomore Natalya Rivera (Sunnyside HS) and Ortiz each were 1 for 3 and Figueroa scored a run and drew a walk.
Freshman Arianna Flores (Salpointe Catholic HS) pitched a complete-game shutout, giving up three hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk on 107 pitches.
“That first batter I had three balls in a row but that was okay, I had to get the nerves out and get the first batter out,” Flores said. “I felt good, going on and going forward, getting stronger, trusting my defense and trusting that we would get some runs.
“It’s really important (to start with a win). You have that leg up and the next day we come back and fight again. It’s a good way to start with the ‘W,’ Flores added. “It’s a really good steppingstone for us and I’m really excited for the rest of the week.”
The Aztecs will face off against No. 4 seeded Scottsdale Community College on Friday at 11:30 a.m. The winner moves on to the championship round. The Artichokes upset No. 1 seeded Phoenix College 5-3 to advance.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
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