Thunderbirds Earn Split Tuesday At Arizona Western
Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - 9:35 pm | Derek Diesner
Yuma, AZ - The Mesa Thunderbirds headed south Tuesday for an ACCAC doubleheader against Arizona Western College in Yuma. In game one, the T-Birds dropped a slugfest 11-10 in a final 9-innings. In game two, Mesa would rebound and run-rule the Matadors 11-2 in a final 5-innings.
With the split, the Thunderbirds improved to 7-15 overall and 7-15 in ACCAC action. In the month of March, Mesa is now 7-3 in their first ten games. Arizona Western moves to 10-21 overall and 5-17 in ACCAC play following the split.
Game One:
The Thunderbirds held a 6-3 lead after four innings in game one on Tuesday afternoon against the Matadors. Following a scoreless fifth inning, Mesa then tacked on another run in the top of the sixth inning to stake a 7-3 lead heading into the final frame.
In the seventh inning, the T-Birds allowed four runs to come across in the bottom half to force extra-innings, all tied at 7-7.
Both offenses came to play in the eighth inning, as each struck for two runs each to extend the game into the ninth inning.
Mesa struck first with a run in the top half of the inning, before the Matadors responded with a walk-off win; scoring two runs with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning to claim the 11-10 win in extras.
The top three batters in the Mesa order (Alanie Ornelas, Justine Encinas, and May Obata) combined to finish 8-for-15 at the plate with two doubles, one homerun, five RBI's and four runs scored.
Game Two:
The Mesa offense kept the bats going strong in game two, as the T-Birds routed Arizona Western 11-2 in a final 5-innings. Mesa scored at least one run in each inning of game two.
The designated player, May Obata led Mesa offensively; finishing 3-for-4 at the plate with two runs scored and two RBIs.
Hannah Matson (3-4) picked up the win in the circle for MCC, tossing all five innings while allowing two runs; one earned on six hits.
The Thunderbirds return home this Saturday to host the South Mountain Cougars; who are currently receiving votes in the latest NJCAA DII Softball National Poll. South Mountain enters Saturday's doubleheader with an overall record of 22-12 and 13-9 in ACCAC play. SMCC has won their last six straight games. Both games can be seen live on T-Bird Sports Live.
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