(Chandler, AZ) The Pima Community College baseball team (24-8, 12-8 in ACCAC) took to the road for an ACCAC doubleheader on Saturday at Chandler-Gilbert Community College (17-15, 13-7).
The No. 12 ranked Aztecs dropped the first game but bounced back to win the second game as they split with the Coyotes. Freshman Sean Barta finished the day going 5 for 8 with three RBIs and a run. Sophomore Collin Senior (Horizon HS) went 4 for 7 with two RBIs and two runs. Freshman Jackson Glueck was 3 for 8 with two RBIs and two runs while sophomore Nolan Ganter (Pinnacle HS) finished 3 for 7 with two RBIs and two runs. Sophomore Maclain Roberts suffered his first loss of the season and sophomore Nate Gray pitched seven shutout innings in the second game.
Game 1: Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes 6, (12) Pima Aztecs 2
The Aztecs fell behind in the 1st inning and surrendered four runs in the 5th inning.
The Pima offense managed two runs on four hits as their offense came in the 5th and 7th innings. They finished with one walk in the game.
The Aztecs cut the deficit to 2-1 in the top of the 5th inning when Ganter hit a lead-off home run to right field on a 2-2 count. Barta hit a double with two outs but was stranded to end the inning.
With the Aztecs trailing 6-1 heading into the 7th inning, Glueck tried to spark a rally with a lead-off homer to right field on a 1-1 count. The Aztecs left two runners on base to end the game.
Ganter and Glueck each finished 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Senior closed out the game going 1 for 2 with a walk while Barta went 1 for 3.
Roberts suffered his first loss of the season as he pitched four and one-third innings, giving up six runs (five earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and one walk on 85 pitches.
PCC 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 2 4 2
CGCC 1 0 0 1 4 0 x 4 10 1
L – Roberts (4-1). 2B: Barta, HR: Glueck, Ganter.
Game 2: (12) Pima Aztecs 9, Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes 0 (8 innings)
The Aztecs bounced back with a run rule victory as Gray pitched seven shutout innings, giving up three hits with four strikeouts and two walks on 92 pitches.
The Aztecs got on the board in the 1st inning when Barta hit an RBI single to bring in freshman Leon Cereceres. Ganter made it 2-0 with his RBI single to score sophomore Ray Jessee in the 2nd inning.
Freshman Ramon Martinez’s RBI single in the 5th inning added to Pima’s lead as he brought in Senior. Sophomore Caden Richards hit a triple and scored on an error in the 6th inning as the Aztecs led 4-0.
The Aztecs produced a five-run 8th inning to help seal it as Glueck hit an RBI single to drive in Richards. Senior followed with a two-run RBI single to plate Ganter and Glueck. Barta capped off the barrage with a two-run homer to bring in Senior.
Barta fell a triple short of hitting for the cycle as he finished the game 4 for 5 with three RBIs and a run scored. Senior closed out the game going 3 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs. Richards was 3 for 4 with two runs. Ganter went 2 for 4 with an RBI and run while Glueck finished 2 for 5 with an RBI and a run.
PCC 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 5 9 17 0
CGCC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3
W – Gray (4-0). 2B: Barta. 3B: Richards. HR: Barta. SB: Glueck.
The Aztecs will step away from ACCAC conference play on Monday to face off against the Okotoks Baseball Club (Canada). First game starts at 12:00 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Pima Aztec Athletics – Raymond Suarez
