Softball gets first win in split with DI Central Arizona

  COOLIDGE, AZ - Mesa picked up its first softball win of the year, topping Division I Central Arizona, 4-3, in the first game of a doubleheader before falling in a thriller in the bottom of the seventh, 11-10, in the nightcap.

  The win was MCC's first over a DI opponent since April 23, 2013, when it topped Yavapai, 8-2.

  In the opener Mesa grabbed a 4-0 lead in the first three innings, including a two-run single by Brittney Ramos (Fr., Yuma, AZ/Kofa H.S.) in the third. 

  The Vaqueros closed to within 4-3 in the sixth, but Samantha Christensen (So., Shelley, Idaho/Skyline H.S.) retired CAC in order in the seventh to preserve the win.

  Ramos finsihed 2-3 with three RBIs. Natasha Mercado (Fr., Las Cruces, N.M./Centennial H.S.), Bridget Kruck (So., Lynden, Wash/Lynden Christian H.S.) and Amber Smith (Fr., Mesa, AZ/Mesa H.S.) each had two hits.

  In a wild second game, CAC built a 10-6 lead after four innings. Mesa tied it with three in the fifth and another in the sixth, but the Vaqueros won in the seventh on an MCC error and sacrifice fly.

  Mariah Gonzales (So., Gilbert, AZ/Highland H.S.) led the T-Bird offense with three hits and Alyssa Gallegos (Fr., Yuma, AZ/Cibola H.S.) as well as Ramos and Mercado had two apiece.

  Mesa returns home to meet Eastern Arizona Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.