Mesa Falls To Paradise Valley In Home Finale

Friday, April 29, 2022 - 6:24 pm | Derek Diesner

Mesa, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds closed out the home portion of their schedule on Friday afternoon, falling to the Paradise Valley Pumas by a final of 8-4.

With the loss, the Thunderbirds have officially been eliminated from postseason contention and drop to 26-28 overall and 12-25 in ACCAC action. With the victory, Paradise Valley improves to 29-26 overall and 16-21 in ACCAC play. 

The Thunderbirds came out of the gate hot on Friday afternoon. After holding Paradise Valley to a quick 1-2-3 top of the first inning, the Mesa T-Birds attacked for two quick runs in the bottom half of the inning to claim the early 2-0 lead.

Paradise Valley quickly responded with two runs of their own in the top of the second inning to even the game at 2-2. Following a scoreless third inning, Mesa once again lit up the scoreboard with two more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to regain the lead.

Paradise Valley would not go quietly, as they responded with a five-run fourth inning, followed by a run in both the sixth and seventh innings; on their way to the 8-4 victory.

In the loss, the T-Birds were held to just five hits; four of which came from the top two hitters in the Mesa order. Leadoff batter Marshall Williams finished 2-for-4 at the plate with a double, a triple, a walk, one run scored, and two RBIs. Thomas Schreffler hit in the two-hole and finished 2-for-4 at the plate as well, along with a run scored and one RBI.

On the mound, Luke Brocco shined in his 6.1 innings of work. He allowed eight runs; only five were earned, on 10 hits with three strikeouts and two walks. Jonathan Weiss came in on relief of Brocco and finished the final 2.2 innings, allowing just one hit, two walks, while striking out one.

Mesa will close out the 2022 season on Saturday afternoon at Paradise Valley, with the first pitch scheduled for 12 Noon.

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