Thunderbirds Drop Pair To GateWay
Saturday, April 23, 2022 - 10:20 pm | Derek Diesner
Mesa, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds saw their chances to gain a spot in the Region I Division II Playoffs dwindle on Saturday afternoon. The T-Birds controlled their own destiny heading into this weekend but dropped back-to-back games against the GateWay Geckos. On Friday, Mesa fell at GateWay by a final of 10-9. On Saturday afternoon, after jumping out to an early lead, they watched GateWay mount a comeback late to seal the 9-7 victory.
With the losses, Mesa drops to 24-27 overall and 10-24 in ACCAC action. With the pair of victories, the GateWay Geckos improve to 19-32 overall and 14-22 in ACCAC play. Mesa currently sits 4 games back of the third and fourth spots in the Division II playoff bracket; with only four teams qualifying for the postseason tournament. Mesa has four games to go, two against Scottsdale and two games against Paradise Valley. Scottsdale currently sits a game out of the playoffs, while Paradise Valley currently holds the three seed. The T-Birds will need to win out and get some help to qualify for the postseason.
Friday, April 22 - Mesa @ GateWay
The Mesa offense came to play early on Friday against the Geckos. The T-Birds struck for five early runs and led 5-1 heading into the bottom of the third inning. From there, the Geckos took charge and would not relinquish the lead. The Geckos scored five runs in the bottom of the third inning and another two runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to take an 8-5 lead into the fifth inning.
Mesa would score twice in both the seventh and ninth innings, but it wasn't enough, as they fell 10-9 at GateWay.
In the loss, the top two batters in the MCC order Marshall Williams and Thomas Schreffler combined to go 7-for-11 at the plate with three RBIs and one run scored.
Saturday, April 23 - GateWay @ Mesa
Mesa looked for some home cooking on Saturday afternoon in their rematch with the Geckos. Once again, the T-Birds would strike first. After four innings of play, Mesa jumped out to the early 6-0 lead.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Geckos' offense came to life and their defense would begin to shut the T-Birds down. Offensively for GateWay, the Geckos struck for two runs in the fifth inning and seven runs in the sixth inning. In that sixth inning, GateWay scored seven runs on four hits with one error while leaving the bases loaded.
Mesa would add one more run in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough. The T-Birds were done in by the seven-run sixth inning that vaulted the Geckos into the lead.
Due to defensive miscues and misplays by the T-Birds, all nine runs scored by the Geckos were unearned on Saturday.
Prior to the game on Saturday, Mesa celebrated the 1972 National Championship team. Members of the team and coaching staff were recognized on the field prior to the game and received their championship rings.
The Thunderbirds return to the diamond this Tuesday when they host Scottsdale Community College at 3 pm. These same two squads meet again on Wednesday, but this time at SCC with a 3 pm first pitch. Tuesday's contest can be seen live on T-Birds Sports Live.
Don't forget to check out the MCC Team Shop, as well as our Booster Club.
