Thunderbirds Sweep Scottsdale

Wednesday, March 2, 2022 - 5:05 pm | Derek Diesner

Mesa, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds picked up their first two wins of the 2022 season on Tuesday afternoon, when they swept a conference doubleheader at home against the Scottsdale Fighting Artichokes. Mesa won game one 13-0 in 5-innings, and then took game two by a final of 11-3 in a final 6-innings.

With the sweep, the Thunderbirds improve to 2-12 overall and 2-12 in ACCAC play. With the losses, Scottsdale falls to 2-8 overall and 2-8 in ACCAC action.

Game One:

The Thunderbirds took it to Scottsdale early on in Tuesday's doubleheader. After a scoreless first inning, Mesa struck for six runs in the bottom of the second inning. The Thunderbirds didn't stop there, as they struck for another run in the third inning, and six more runs in the bottom of the fourth inning to finish off the Artichokes.

Alex Reeve led the Thunderbird offense, finishing 3-for-3 at the plate, with three runs scored, five RBIs and two homeruns. Alanie Ornelas also hit a homer in the game and finished 2-for-4 in the leadoff spot for the T-Birds, to go along with two runs scored and two RBI's.

In the circle, Hannah Matson (1-3) picked up her first win of the year, twirling a gem against Scottsdale. Matson tossed five strong innings, while allowing just three hits and striking out five.

Game Two:

In game two, the offense remained hot for the Thunderbirds. Mesa struck for 11 runs on 14 hits in their second run-rule victory of the day.

Scottsdale scored twice in the top of the second inning, to take their lone lead of the day. Mesa then struck for three runs in the bottom half of the second inning. Scottsdale would even the score in the top of the fourth, but would not score again after that.

The T-Bird offense struck for six runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, and would tack two more on in the bottom of the fifth inning, to seal the 11-3 win in six-innings.

Alanie Ornelas had another big game in the leadoff spot. Finishing 3-for-5 with a pair of runs scored. Justine Encinas, Alex Reeve, and Brynlee Golding each finished with two hits a piece.

In the circle, Gillian Gardner (1-5) picked up her first win of the season. The freshman allowed three runs, one earned on five hits, to go along with five strikeouts and two walks.

The Thunderbirds host defending national champion and the current #1 ranked Phoenix College Bears (13-3 overall, 11-3 ACCAC) on Saturday afternoon. The Bears are fresh off a midweek split with 3rd ranked Yavapai. Game one is slated to begin at 12 Noon.

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