T-Birds Use Walk to Sweep Chandler-Gilbert

Mesa, AZ- Mesa softball used a walk with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh inning in game two to sweep the Chandler-Gilbert Coyotes Tuesday afternoon, 5-1, 7-6.

Korynn Molina knocked in the first two runs for the T-Birds in the first inning of game one to put Mesa ahead early.  Molina eventually came home on a Natasha Mercado double to left field.  Mesa led 3-0 after the first inning.

Leighann Ballesteros Knocked in Brittney Ramos in the third inning to push the Mesa run total to four with Ballersteros herself scoring later in the inning.

Allyea Elwell pitched a one run complete game.

Game two was a bit more exciting as Mesa once again put runs on the board in the first inning, with a two out, two run double down the right field line by Allyea Elwell to plate Kayla Bradford and Brittney Ramos.

Mesa's scoring then hit a wall for four innings as they were able to get runners on and in scoring position but weren't able to push them across.  

Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, Mesa trailed the Coyotes, 3-2.  But a two out sixth inning rally helped Mesa go ahead, 4-3.  Valeria Macias singled then was knocked home by a Kayla Bradford double off the center field wall, which tied the game.  Then Brittney Ramos roped a double down the left field line, platting Bradford from second to give Mesa the lead.

The Coyotes rallied themselves in the top of the seventh inning, scoring three runs, all with two outs, to take the lead again, 6-4.

In the bottom half of the inning, Elwell and Alina Lopez reached base by way of the single and Lexi Valencia knocked in the runner at second with a single of her own to cut the deficit to 6-5.

Macias was then hit by a pitch, which loaded the bases for Kayla Bradford.  Bradford hit a routine ground ball to the Coyote short stop, which Amanda Hernandez, who was running from second to third, perfectly timed passing the Coyote short stop to make her lose focus for just half a second for which she bobbled the grounder and allowed a run to score and everyone on the base paths were safe.  

Brittney Ramos then stepped to the plate, where she worked the Coyote pitcher to a full count.  Ramos showed patience at the plate and laid off a high, outside pitched, walking in the seventh and winning run for Mesa.

It was a much needed sweep for Mesa who is battling for a spot in the ACCAC DII playoffs.  Mesa is now 20-27 overall, 16-24 in the ACCAC.

The T-Birds will again be at home on Saturday with a double-header with Scottsdale, first pitch at noon.