Back-to-Back canceled games wake up bats

By Kyle McDaniel

 

The scheduled game at Paradise Valley Community College on Feb. 21 was cancelled and will be made up on Feb. 28 in Phoenix, the first pitch is 1 p.m.

 

The scheduled game vs GateWay CC on Feb. 23 was also cancelled and the date of the make up game will be announced later.

 

Feb. 26 (H): Game 1: PCC 14, Scottsdale CC 1 F/5

 

It looks like the back to back cancellations woke the Aztecs bats up, as they scored a combined 14 runs in the first three innings.

 

Multiple players played a key role in the demolition of the Artichokes, but the main architects were sophomore Maria Vanezza Caldera and freshman Hope Adams. Caldera finished 2 for 4 with two RBI’s, while Adams went 1 for 3, but her one hit was massive, because it was a three run homer.

 

Castillo got her fourth win on the mound after pitching all five innings, allowing no earned runs on two hits and striking out six.

 

Game 2: PCC 13, Scottsdale CC 3 F/5

 

Pima found themselves in a familiar position after the first inning, as they again were losing 3-0. However unlike previous games their offense provided the spark for the comeback victory, scoring a combined 12 runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

 

Caldera again had a big game at the plate going 4 for 4 with five RBI’s, which included a Grand Slam in the fifth inning. Sophomores Mackenzie Judge and Alizea Durazo-Corday each went 2 for 3 with an RBI.

 

Freshman Abril Nerey got her second win after pitching the final four and ⅔ innings, allowing one hit while striking out five.

 

Feb. 19 (A): Game 1: PCC 2, Arizona Western College 7

 

After getting swept in their last two road games the Aztecs traveled to Yuma hoping for a better result. Pima was losing 7-2 in the final inning, with a chance to get the come from behind victory, but that comeback didn’t happen. .

 

One of the Aztecs two runs came in the top of the third when freshman Devynn Marshall launched a solo shot over the fence for her second home run of the season. The key point in the loss, was the fact the Aztecs left 10 runners stranded on the bases, which can’t happen if they want to get back to winning ways.

 

Sophomore Alese Casper got the loss after she pitched six innings allowing six earned runs on eight hits, while striking out one but walked four.

 

Game 2: PCC 3, Arizona Western College 5

 

Fast forward to the final inning once more with the Aztecs losing 5-0, the rally towels were out and the girls chanting from the dugout. It was their last chance to snatch a victory from the Matadors of Arizona Western College.

 

They would come close as they scored three runs in the 7th inning; however that’s as far as it got, giving them back to back road series losses.

 

Sophomore Maria Vanezza Caldera brought Casper home after hitting an RBI single, which was followed by sophomore Mya Cabral’s RBI double. The final run came when freshman Hope Adams got hit by a pitch when the bases were loaded.

 

Freshman Bianca Castillo got her second loss of the season after she gave up three earned runs on five hits, in two innings of work.

 

Feb. 16 (A): Game 1: PCC 2, Central Arizona College 10 F/5

 

In the first inning the Aztecs jumped out to a 2-0 start, but would surrender 10 unanswered runs causing the game to get mercy ruled. Maria Vanezza Caldera and freshman Amaya Turner-Vizcarra both hit RBI singles in the first, which gave Pima an early lead.

 

Bianca Castillo took the loss on the day, her first of the season as she allowed five earned runs on six hits, in only three innings of work. She also struck out two and walked three.

 

Game 2: PCC 7, Central Arizona College 20

 

When you allow 17 runs in the first two innings, you probably won’t be coming home with a victory. Fast forward to the top of the fifth inning, the Aztecs were losing 20-2 and needed to score 13 runs just to keep the game going another inning. They put up a fight getting five back, but it simply wasn’t enough.

 

Freshman Giselle Munoz cleared the bases on a three run double to help get the rally going, and she proceeded to score on Hope Adams RBI double. Sophomore Ariana Gomez then brought Adams home after she hit an RBI single.

 

Freshman Abril Nerey was the losing pitcher in the second game for the Aztecs, after she allowed seven earned runs on six hits in 1/3 of an inning.