(RV) Thunderbirds Take Conference Opener 5-3 Over Glendale

Friday, February 11, 2022 - 6:00 pm | Derek Diesner

Mesa, AZ - Following a perfect non-conference season to open up the 2022 regular season, the (RV) Mesa Thunderbirds picked up where they left off on Friday, defeating the Glendale Gauchos 5-3.

With the victory, the Thunderbirds; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NJCAA DII Baseball National Poll, remain perfect at 8-0 on the young season, and are now 1-0 in ACCAC action. With the loss, the Gauchos fall to 5-6-1 overall and 0-1 in ACCAC play.

The Gauchos attacked the T-Birds right out of the gate. Following an opening flyout, Glendale's next batter then tripled and would come around to score the game's first run two batters later. The Gauchos also added another run in the top of the second inning, to claim an early 2-0 lead off of Thunderbird starting pitcher Mike Marshall.

In the bottom of the second inning, the T-Bird offense came to life. Taking a 3-2 lead off of two RBI singles from Kaleb Herber and Dean Bittner.

Glendale would even the game at 3-3 in the top of the sixth inning, before being outdone once again by the Thunderbird offense. With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Connor Culp smashed a homer over the left-field wall to claim the lead for good for the T-Birds at 4-3. Culp finished the day a team-best 2-for-3 at the plate with a walk, a single, and the aforementioned solo homerun.  

Mesa added one more run in the bottom of the eighth inning on a bases-loaded walk for insurance. Glendale then had the go-ahead run at the plate with two runners on base, before Jonathan Weiss shut the door for his second save of the season. 

Thunderbird starter Mike Marshall went five innings and allowed two runs on four hits in a no-decision. Mitchell Torres picked up the win in relief of Marshall, lasting three innings while allowing one run on two hits.

The Thunderbirds will turn around and hit the road Saturday to face these same Gauchos in Glendale. The first pitch is scheduled for 12 Noon.

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