Bats come alive as softball sweeps GateWay, 8-7, 11-9

  MESA, AZ - A transition back to Division II play was just what the Mesa softball team needed as it pounded out 24 hits in a doubleheader sweep of GateWay Tuesday.

  The T-Birds won the opener, 8-7, and then claimed the nightcap, 11-9.

  In the first game Mesa had to overcome a 6-4 deficit and did so with a three-run fourth. It was highlighted by a two-run double by Alyssa Gallegos (Fr., Yuma, AZ/Cibola H.S.) That was part of a 4-4 day for her which included five RBIs and two doubles.

  In game two the T-Birds found themselves trailing 8-3 after three. MCC then struck for three in the fourth and four more in the fifth.

  Alina Lopez (Fr., Chandler, AZ/Chandler H.S.) drove in all three runs in the third with a double and Kendra Whalen (So., Flagstaff, AZ/Coconino H.S.) had the big blow in the fourth, a two-run double.

  Samantha Christensen (So., Shelley, Idaho/Skyline H.S.) then took over on the mound, throwing four innings and allowing just one run to pick up her second win of the season.

  Gallegos finished with five hits on the day and Whalen four.

  Mesa hosts Glendale for a pair of games Thursday beginning at 3:00 p.m.