#6 Mesa Takes Down Gauchos, 9-6

Mesa, AZ - In throwback uniforms that date back to before any of the Mesa Thunderbirds were even born, #6 Mesa won the Saturday afternoon game against the Glendale Gauchos, 9-6.

Mesa started the scoring in their half of the first, with Hunter Bross hitting a triple to the right center field gap.  Two batters later, Marcus Skundrich doubled to score Bross, making it a 1-0 game.

The Gauchos notched two runs in the top of the second but Mesa would answer right back in the bottom of the inning.  Drew Bailey singled followed by an RBI triple by catcher Alfonso Barragan III, which tied the game at two.  The next T-Bird batter, Garrett Smith, singled to right field, scoring pinch runner Jace DeGrange, putting Mesa back up, 3-2.

Glendale would add three more runs through the sixth inning but a six run sixth inning helped the T-Birds go ahead and stay ahead for the final 9-6 victory.

Riley Grivette started for the T-Birds, going 3.2 innings, allowing five hits, three runs (3 ER) and striking out three.  The winning pitcher was Tyler Oscarson who pitch 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and striking out two, with Jake Suddreth recording his first career save.

Mesa will play four games next week, the first on Tuesday at home against Chandler-Gilbert, then at Chandler-Gilbert on Wednesday afternoon, both 3 p.m. first pitch starts.  Then the T-Birds will travel down to Pima on Saturday for a double-header, starting at noon.