Orton helps Aztecs softball bounce back in split against Chandler-Gilbert

The Pima Community College softball team (6-8, 6-8 in ACCAC) team bounced back in a dominating way on Tuesday in its split doubleheader against Chandler-Gilbert Community College (10-10, 9-9).
Sophomore Faith Orton (Amphitheater HS) picked up a huge win on the mound but she also did damage at the plate finishing 2 for 6 with four RBIs and a run. Freshman Elise Muñoz (Salpointe Catholic HS) was 3 for 6 with three RBIs, three runs scored and two walks while fellow freshman Analisa Gomez (University HS) also went 3 for 6 on the day with two RBIs and four runs scored.

• Game 1: Chandler-Gilbert CC Coyotes 10, Pima CC Aztecs 8: The Aztecs were forced to play catch-up after the Coyotes scored six runs in the 3^rd inning and three runs in the 5^th.
  Orton hit a 2-run RBI double to cut the deficit to 6-3. Freshman Kelli Samorano (Tucson Magnet HS) followed with a sacrifice-fly RBI to plate Muñoz and freshman Mia Casadei (Tanque Verde HS) hit an RBI single to bring in Orton as Pima trailed 6-5.
  Down 9-5 in the 5^th inning, the Aztecs put together another rally. Orton reached on an error; which scored Gomez. A little later Muñoz scored on a passed ball to cut it down to 9-7. Gomez hit a sacrifice-fly RBI in the 6^th inning to plate freshman Shannon Vivoda to make it 9-8. The Coyotes tacked on a run in the top of the 7^th.
  Gomez finished 3 for 3 with an RBI and three runs scored. Muñoz went 2 for 2 with two runs while Orton was 1 for 4 with three RBIs. Casadei went 2 for 4 with an RBI. Freshman Stephanie Tapia (Cibola HS) and Samorano also each had an RBI.
  Freshman Lia Dominguez (Cienega HS) took the loss as she pitched four and one-third innings giving up nine runs (four earned) on 10 hits with one strikeout and three walks.

CGCC  0 0 6 0 3 0 1   10  15  3
PCC     1 0 4 0 2 1 0     8  12  5

L – Dominguez (1-3). 2B – Gomez 2, Tapia, Vivoda, Orton.

• Game 2: Pima CC Aztecs 8, Chandler-Gilbert CC Coyotes 0 (5 innings): Orton threw a five-inning shutout while the offense scored four runs in each the 2^nd and 5^th innings to earn the run-rule victory.
  Muñoz reached on an error with bases loaded to bring in Samorano. Orton hit an RBI single to score freshman Kayla Gonzales (Salpointe Catholic HS). Vivoda was then hit by a pitch; which brought in Gomez. Muñoz capped off the inning by scoring on a passed ball and the Aztecs took a 4-0 lead.
  The Aztecs loaded the bases again in the 5^th inning with one out. Freshman Miranda Carley (Cienega HS) drove in Tapia with an RBI single. Gomez grounded out but scored Samorano and Muñoz ended the game with a walk-off 2-run RBI double to score Casadei and Gonzales.
  Muñoz went 1 for 4 with three RBIs and a run while Tapia was 2 for 2 with a run. Gonzales finished 1 for 2 with two runs.
  Orton went 1 for 2 with an RBI and picked up the win on the mound giving up three hits with two strikeouts and one walk on 73 pitches.

CGCC   0 0 0 0 0   0  3  1
PCC      0 4 0 0 4   8  8  0

W – Orton (5-3). 2B – Muñoz, Samorano.

The Aztecs will play at Central Arizona College on Saturday in an ACCAC doubleheader. First pitch is at noon.