Merriman Paces #6 Mesa for Six Scoreless Innings, T-Birds Beat Phoenix College, 4-0

Mesa, AZ - The #6 Mesa Thunderbirds shutout the Phoenix College Bears Wednesday afternoon, 4-0, in the first of a two game series.

Wheeling and dealing for the T-Birds was sophomore ace Chase Merriman, who pitched six scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out five.

Mesa starting their scoring in the bottom of the fourth, when with two men on, Cameron Cruz wrapped a single to left center field.  Coming into score for Mesa was Esteban Martinez and pinch-runner, Drew Bailey.

It was Cruz who also accounted for Mesa's last two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.  With Bailey aboard, Cruz doubled to push the T-Bird's lead to 3-0.  A wild pitch helped Cruz score from third base later on in the inning, giving Mesa their fourth and final run.  Cruz went 3-4 on the afternoon with two doubles.  

With the help of John Cranston, Nick Ohanian and Jake Suddreth coming out of the bullpen, Mesa closed out their 16 victory of the season.  Suddreth claimed his eighth save of the season as well.

The T-Birds and Bears will play Thursday afternoon at Phoenix College, a makeup game from Tuesday's rainout.