Mesa's Ben Lewis slides in safely past the out stretched arm of the Grand Canyon Club catcher. (Photo by Aaron Webster)
Mesa's Ben Lewis slides in safely past the out stretched arm of the Grand Canyon Club catcher. (Photo by Aaron Webster)

8-1 Win for #15 Mesa Baseball Over GCU Club

Mesa, AZ - The #15 Mesa Thunderbirds baseball team rolled their winning ways into February as they defeated the Grand Canyon Club team Thursday afternoon, 8-1.

Richard Walker pitched a solid five innings for the T-Birds, striking out seven batters while allowing just one hit.  On the offensive side for Walker, the T-Birds starting the scoring early in the top of the first inning, getting the first six hitters on base.

Jace DeGrange led off with a single followed by a double by Paul SteffensonRiley Peterson hit into a fielder's choice with a Ben Lewis single right behind him.  After Garrett LaBreche walked, Kelby Richardson single.  All in all, Mesa scored four runs in the first inning.

Mesa would tack on one more in the second, two more in the third and one finally run in the seventh.

Jake Beeler took the hill for Mesa in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, not allowing a hit while striking out two.  Francisco Valenzuela finished the ninth for the T-Birds.

Mesa is now 6-0 on the season and will play a double-header with the University of Arizona Club team on Saturday at MCC, first pitch at noon.