Aztecs baseball strikes first but drop doubleheader at GateWay

The Pima Community College baseball team (7-4, 2-2 in ACCAC) scored first in both games at GateWay Community College (5-6, 2-2) but fell short on Tuesday in Phoenix.

Freshman Logan Klunder went 3 for 7 at the plate with three RBIs.

Game 1: (4) GateWay CC Geckos 5, Pima CC Aztecs 2: The Aztecs scored two runs in the top of the first inning but the Geckos tied the game in the fifth and took the lead for good in the sixth inning.

Sophomore Erick Migueles (Canyon del Oro HS) put the Aztecs on the board with a sacrifice-fly RBI scoring sophomore Oscar Larranaga (Sunnyside HS), who had doubled to start the game. Klunder hit an RBI single to plate sophomore Anthony Felix (Canyon del Oro HS).

The Aztecs managed three hits for the game. Klunder finished 2 for 3 with an RBI while Larranaga was 1 for 3 with a run scored.

Freshman Isaac Lopez (Nogales HS) took the loss (0-2) after he pitched one-third of an inning in relief. He gave up three runs (three earned) on two hits with one walk. Sophomore Miguel Figueroa (Tucson HS) started the game and went five innings giving up two runs (two earned) on seven hits with eight strikeouts on 94 pitches.

Game 2: (4) GateWay CC Geckos 5, Pima CC Aztecs 4: The Aztecs struck first with four runs in the opening inning but the Geckos scored two runs in the third, one in the sixth and won it with two runs in the ninth inning.

Klunder hit a two-run RBI double to plate Larranaga and Felix while sophomore Shawn Bracamontes (Sunnyside HS) contributed with an RBI single to score fellow sophomore Manny Ramirez (Bisbee HS). Klunder scored on a groundout with make it 4-0.

Klunder finished the game 1 for 4 with two RBIs and a run scored while Larranaga went 1 for 5 with a run scored. Bracamontes went 1 for 3 with an RBI and a walk. Felix finished 1 for 5 with a run scored.

Freshman Gage O'Brien (Catalina Foothills HS) took the loss (0-1) as he pitched two and one-third innings in relief giving up two runs (two earned) on one hit with four strikeouts and two walks. Sophomore Taylor Ferdinand started the game and threw six innings giving up three runs (three earned) on four hits with three strikeouts and five walks.

The Aztecs will be back at the West Campus on Saturday when they host Mesa Community College. The games will be at noon and 2:30 p.m.