Critchlow and Rodriguez Lead the Way as Aztecs Softball Sweeps GateWay CC
The Pima Community College softball team (37-15, 25-12 in ACCAC) put together two mercy-rule victories on the road on Thursday as it swept GateWay Community College (11-36-1, 6-32).
Freshman Bailey Critchlow picked up a win on the mound and also went 3 for 4 with four RBIs, three runs scored and two stolen bases for the day. Fellow freshman Larissa Rodriguez (Tucson Magnet HS) also had a great day at the plate as she finished 4 for 5 with two RBI and three runs scored.
Game 1: Pima CC Aztecs 10, GateWay CC Geckos 1 (5 innings)
The No. 19 ranked Aztecs took an early lead with three runs in the first inning and two in the second. Critchlow, freshman Gabriella Gorosave and Kalynn Martinez (Sunnyside HS) all hit RBI singles in the first inning. Critchlow hit an RBI double in the second inning and sophomore Christine Olivas (Hamilton HS) hit a sacrifice-RBI to make it 5-0.
Freshman Margarita Corona (Tucson Magnet HS) hit a two-run RBI single to plate Gorosave and Martinez in the fifth inning. Corona scored on a throwing error.
Critchlow went 2 for 3 with two RBIs, a run scored and two stolen bases while Rodriguez finished 2 for 3 with two runs scored. Corona was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and Gorosave finished 2 for 3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Critchlow picked up the win (17-7) as she pitched four innings giving up one hit with three strikeouts. Freshman Luisa Silvain (Cholla HS) pitched the fifth inning giving up one run (none earned) on two hits.
Game 2: Pima CC Aztecs 9, GateWay CC Geckos 1 (5 innings)
The Aztecs took control early once again with two runs in the first inning and four runs in the second inning. Freshman Amy Pacheco (Sahuaro HS) hit an RBI triple which was followed by Rodriguez's RBI single to put Pima ahead 4-0 in the second inning. Freshman Courtney Brown (Flowing Wells HS) hit an RBI single to plate Rodriguez in the inning. Rodriguez hit an RBI triple in the third inning to make it 7-0. Critchlow hit an RBI triple and Olivas had a sacrifice-fly RBI in the fourth.
Rodriguez finished the game 2 for 2 with two RBIs and a run scored while Critchlow went 1 for 1 with two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk. Pacheco was 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored and Brown finished 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. The Aztecs hit five triples for the game.
Silvain picked up the win on the mound (5-1) as she pitched five innings giving up one run (none earned) on three hits with two strikeouts.
The Aztecs will be back on the road on Saturday when they play at Central Arizona College in an ACCAC doubleheader. The games will be at noon and 2:00 p.m.
Larissa Rodriguez/Photo by Ben Carbajal
