Klunder sets tone at the plate as Aztecs baseball sweeps New Mexico Military Institute; Alday at 499 wins
The Pima Community College baseball team (3-1) earned a non-conference sweep on Saturday as it finished its opening series with the New Mexico Military Institute.
The two wins gave baseball head coach Rich Alday 499 wins in his career at Pima. He coached the Aztecs from 1974-1989.
Sophomore Logan Klunder had a great day at the plate going 5 for 8 with two RBIs and two runs scored on the day. The Aztecs also got quality starts from their starting pitchers once again.
Game 1: Pima CC Aztecs 3, New Mexico Military Institute Broncos 2 (7 innings): The Aztecs used four relievers in the top of the seventh inning as sophomore Christian Pearcy (Ironwood Ridge HS) got the final out on a groundout with the bases loaded to earn his first save.
The Aztecs broke a 1-1 in the third inning when sophomore Martin Garcia (Tucson HS) reached on an error as Klunder and freshman Michael Wong came in to score Klunder had tied the game in the bottom of the first inning with an RBI single to score freshman Enrique Porchas (Kofa HS). Klunder finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored. Porchas was 1 for 3 with a run scored.
Freshman Adam Moraga (Sunnyside HS) threw five innings giving up one run (none earned) on one hit with three strikeouts and one walk. He picked up the win (1-0).
NMMI 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 2 4 2
PCC 1 0 2 0 0 0 x 3 7 3
Game 2: Pima CC Aztecs 8, New Mexico Military Institute Broncos 4 (9 innings): Up 3-2, the Aztecs broke it open with a four-run 5th inning. Freshman Sergio Gonzalez (Nogales HS) hit a bases loaded sacrifice-fly to score Klunder. Freshman Matthew Hackman (Empire HS) hit an RBI single to plate Garcia and sophomore Marcus Mendez scored on an error to make it 7-3. Sophomore Jesus Solis (Nogales HS) capped off the inning with an RBI single to score freshman Elisandro Diaz (Salpointe Catholic HS).
Solis broke open a 2-2 tie in the fourth inning with a two-run RBI triple. Klunder put the Aztecs on the board in the first inning with an RBI single.
Solis finished 2 for 4 with three RBIs while Klunder went 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Gonzalez finished 1 for 2 with two runs scored.
Freshman Ryon Craig (Cienega HS) picked up the win (1-0) in a relief appearance. Sophomore Troy Gutbub (Catalina Foothills HS) started the game and pitched four innings giving up two runs (two earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk.
NMMI 2 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 4 8 3
PCC 1 1 0 2 4 0 0 0 x 8 10 0
The Aztecs return to the West Campus Field on Tuesday when they host a non-conference doubleheader against the UofA Club team. First game starts at 11:00 a.m.
