Birds Split Double-Header at South Mountain, 4-2 (L), 5-4 (W)

Phoenix, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds split a double-header with ACCAC opponent South Mountain Saturday afternoon with the Cougars winning game one, 4-2, and the T-Birds winning game two, 5-4.

A tough first inning of game one proved to be the back breaker for Mesa, and the only real blemish for starting pitcher Connor Coerper as the big right hander allowed all four runs in that first frame.  After that, Coerper allowed just four hits and had no other real threat of scoring for the Cougars.  

Mesa's lone runs who produced off a Connor Culp two-run homer in the fourth inning.

Game two saw Mesa produce nine hits, four of which went for extra bases.  Lucas Danielewicz provided the thump in the ninth inning with a solo homer, which proved to be the difference in the end.

Josh Leslie, Connor Culp and Danielewicz all hit doubles as well.

Michael Marshall earned the win, allowing just three hits over five innings, striking out six.  Erik Dulittle finished the final 1.1 innings, earning the save.

Mesa moves to 22-19 overall and 15-17 in conference play.  The final week of the regular season will be next week as Mesa will be on the road Tuesday and Saturday.