Mesa Stays Alive In Postseason Race

Thursday, April 28, 2022 - 3:01 pm | Derek Diesner

Scottsdale, AZ - A day after blanking the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes 10-0, the T-Birds headed north and handed SCC their second straight defeat 19-13 on Wednesday afternoon in Scottsdale. The win kept Mesa's slim playoff hopes alive.

With the victory, the Thunderbirds improved to 26-27 overall and 12-24 in ACCAC play. With the loss, Scottsdale dropped to 22-26 overall and 13-23 in ACCAC action. 

Currently, three of the four teams in the Region I Division II playoffs have clinched their spots. Phoenix College, Chandler-Gilbert CC, and Paradise Valley CC have all guaranteed a spot in postseason play. With two days remaining in the regular season, Glendale, GateWay, Scottsdale, and Mesa are all vying for the final playoff spot. 

Mesa struck first in Wednesday's afternoon affair against Scottsdale, with a run in the top of the first inning. The Fighting Artichokes rattled off two runs of their own and another three runs in the bottom of the third inning to take a 5-1 lead.

The T-Birds added a run in the top of the fourth inning before the Artichoke offense responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning, and another two runs in the next inning to take a commanding 11-2 lead after five innings of play.

The Floodgates opened for the Mesa offense in the top of the sixth inning, as the T-Birds outscored Scottsdale 17-2 in the final four innings; which included a 10-run top of the seventh inning.

Mesa finished the game with 12 hits as a team, ⅓ of those coming off of Dean Bittner's bat. The centerfielder finished a perfect 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs scored, two walks, one double, one stolen base, and an RBI. Catcher Chase Burke finished 2-for-2 at the plate with five RBIs, three runs scored, and three walks. 

On the mound, Mitchell Torres (5-2) picked up his team-high fifth victory of the season, tossing 4.1 innings in relief of starter Seth McGrath. Torres allowed three runs and struck out three batters.

The Thunderbirds will close out the 2022 regular season this Friday and Saturday, with a home-and-home series against the Paradise Valley Pumas. Friday's contest will be at MCC, with the first pitch scheduled for 3 pm. You can watch the game live online by visiting T-Birds Sports Live.

Don't forget to check out the MCC Team Shop, as well as our Booster Club.