By KYLE MCDANIEL
The Aztecs’ Softball team is starting to find the winning formula after winning six of the last seven games, with three of those victories coming via the mercy rule.
With this winning streak, the team is up to fifth in the ACCAC standings.
April 13t(A) Game 1: Pima Community College 17, Scottsdale Community College 6 F/5
Just like GateWay, Pima seems to have Scottsdale’s number as they swept the season series with them as well. It was also their sixth straight road victory, which could be key toward the end of the season.
The Aztecs scored all 17 runs in the first four innings of work. Sophomore Jessica Lozania had four RBIs in the first two innings, while sophomore Devynn Marshall brought in 2 runs after hitting a bases-loaded single.
Lozania, Marshall and freshman Giselle Munoz went a combined 10 for 13 with 12 RBIs and five runs scored.
Sophomore Alese Casper got her ninth victory of the season after pitching five innings. She allowed 5 earned runs on 12 hits, while also striking out seven.
Game 2: PCC 11, Scottsdale Community College 1 F/5
The Aztecs were up 5-1 in the fourth inning when they added six more runs to put the game out of reach.
Sophomore Maria Vanezza Caldera and Casper each went 2 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Sophomore Ariana Gomez went 3 for 3 with an RBI.
Freshman Abril Nerey completely shut down the Artichokes’ offense as she allowed 1 earned run on 8 hits in five innings of work. She also struck out 5 while walking no one.
April 9 (A) Game 1: PCC 9, GateWay CC 0 F/5
In the first game, Pima mercy ruled the Geckos for the third time in three games this season.
After the Aztecs had already scored 2 runs in the inning, sophomore Alizea Durazo-Corday belted a 3-run homer in the top of the first to give Pima a 5-0 lead.
Marshall and Vanezza Caldera hit back-to-back RBI singles in both the first and second innings to help secure the mercy rule.
Casper only needed 56 pitches to get the complete game victory.
Game 2: PCC 10, GateWay Community College 7
With the Aztecs losing 7-5 heading into the top of the seventh, they would put their rally caps on and it would work. They would score 5 runs and take the victory.
Devynn Marshall hit a 2-run homer in the first inning to get Pima on the board.
The game was tied when freshman Amaya Turner-Vizcarra launched a 3-run bomb over the fence to give Pima the lead for good. She would finish the game 4 for 4, and only missing a triple to complete the cycle.
It took Casper twice as many pitches to get her second victory of the day. She allowed 7 earned runs on 14 hits while striking out 5.
April 6 (H) Game 1: PCC 6, Arizona Western College 4
The Aztecs were able to split the series with Arizona Western who are ranked No. 6 in the nation.
Heading into the bottom of the fourth losing 2-1, Pima came out swinging and got rewarded with five runs to help seal the victory. The Aztecs hit 6 straight singles to start the inning, which resulted in 4 of the 5 runs in the inning.
Lozania created half of the teams runs after going 2 for 2 with three RBI.
Freshman Bianca Castillo got the victory after pitching a complete game, bringing her to .500 on the season. She allowed 4 earned runs on 10 hits while striking out 3.
Game 2: PCC 4, Arizona Western College 14
In the next game, the Matadors promptly showed why they are ranked as high as they are. Arizona Western would score 5 runs in the third and seventh innings to put the game out of reach.
However, Pima’s Achilles heel all season has been leaving runners on base. It was no different in this game, after leaving 12 base runners stranded.
Marshall and Casper each went 2 for 4 with an RBI.
Abril Nerey lost her seventh game of the season after pitching 2⅓ innings, allowing 7 earned runs on 9 hits.
April 2 (H) Game 1: PCC 1, Central Arizona College 3
Pima and the Vaqueras were tied heading into the seventh inning, when Central Arizona plated 2 runs to ultimately steal the victory.
Giselle Munoz had the Aztecs only RBI in the game after she hit a sacrifice fly with the bases loaded.
Castillo took the loss on the mound, bringing her record to 6-8. She pitched a complete game, allowing 1 earned run on 5 hits, while also striking out 3.
Game 2: PCC 12, Central Arizona College 11
The Aztecs allowed 4 runs in the first and then settled down, allowing only 2 more until the seventh inning, when they allowed 5 more runs. The difference in this game was their offense came alive to match the firepower of the Vaqueras.
With the game tied 4-4 in the bottom of the third inning, Pima’s offense came to life, scoring 6 runs in the inning. Jessica Lozania and Maria Vanezza Caldera each drove in 2 runs.
Two innings later, Durazo-Corday hit a solo home run. This was followed by Gomez’s RBI single, which would prove to be vital one. It was vital because Central Arizona was run away from tying the game in the last inning, after scoring 5 runs.
Durazo-Corday batted a .1000 in the game after going 4 for 4, including two RBIs. Gomez and Lozania combined to go 5 for 8 with 6 RBIs.
Castillo got the victory after pitching the last six innings. She allowed 7 earned runs on 13 hits.