Aztecs baseball opens ACCAC play with split at No. 13 Arizona Western College

The Pima Community College baseball team (10-4, 1-1 in ACCAC) saw its first action in the ACCAC conference on Saturday in Yuma, AZ.
The Aztecs split with No. 13 ranked Arizona Western College (9-4, 1-1). Sophomore Phillip Sikes went 3 for 8 at the plate with two RBIs and he also picked up his third save of the season. Sophomore Austin Bryan (Sahuarita HS) threw another quality start for the Aztecs.

• Game 1: Pima CC Aztecs 5, (13) Arizona Western College Matadors 2: The Aztecs scored five runs in the 7^th inning to rally for the win.
  The Aztecs started the 7^th with three straight hits. Sophomore Enrique Porchas (Kofa HS) hit an RBI triple to score fellow sophomore Rafael Padilla (Nogales HS). Freshman Brian Romero (Canyon del Oro HS) tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI single to plate Porchas.
  After two outs, the Aztecs drew two straight walks and freshman Angel Ochoa (Canyon del Oro HS) put Pima ahead with an RBI single to score freshman Alex Kelch (Tucson HS). Sikes capped off the inning with a two-run RBI double scoring freshman Cole Cummings and Ochoa.
  Romero was 2 for 3 with an RBI while Sikes finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Porchas was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
  Freshman Juan Pablo Ruedaflores (Flowing Wells HS) picked up the win (1-0) after he came in to close out the 6^th inning in relief of Bryan, who threw five scoreless innings and left after five and two-thirds after giving up two runs (two earned) on four hits with eight strikeouts and two walks. Sikes got the save after pitching the 7^th inning giving up two hits with three strikeouts.

PCC    0 0 0 0 0 0 5   5 9 0
AWC  0 0 0 0 0 2 0   2 6 0

• Game 2: (13) Arizona Western College Matadors 4, Pima CC Aztecs 2: The Aztecs' rally fell short in the second game as the Matadors scored two runs in each the 1^st and 2^nd innings.
  In the 7^th, pinch runner JJ Rollon (Skyline HS) scored on a passed ball and Ochoa hit a groundout RBI that scored Cummings. The Aztecs left nine men on base for the game.
  Cummings went 2 for 5 with a run scored as Sikes finished 2 for 4. Sophomore Javier Nava was 2 for 2.
  Sophomore Hayden Udall (Campo Verde HS) settled in as he gave up one hit and two walks after the 2^nd inning. He took the loss (2-2) as he pitched six innings giving up four runs (four earned) on five hits with eight strikeouts and four walks.

PCC    0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0   2 8 2
AWC  2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 x   4 5 1

The Aztecs will return to the West Campus Aztec Baseball Field on Tuesday when they host South Mountain Community College in an ACCAC Division I showdown. First pitch of the doubleheader is at noon.