Matadors split double-header in battle of top-25 teams
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA) - #15 Arizona Western had arguably their biggest test to date with a double-header against the #14 Cochise College Apaches. After suffering a 4-3 loss Friday night, the teams split Saturday's double-header.
The first game saw starting pitcher Diego Alcala take a no-hitter into the sixth inning, only allowing a base runner on a walk to the second batter of the game.
AWC gave him plenty of run support in the fourth inning with a two-run home run from Gerardo Castro, the sophomore's eighth of the season, followed by RBI-singles from Victor Lopez and Jamie Beerman. Luis Angulo also singled in the inning.
That was all the scoring the Matadors would get, but it was all they needed.
The Apaches hopped on Alcala in the sixth, starting the inning off with back-to-back base knocks to put runners on first and second base. Alcala recorded two outs before Filippo Baldassarri came into the game forced a flyout to left field to get out of the jam.
Baldassarri let up a double in the seventh inning, but was able to close the game out without letting up any runs and giving AWC a 4-1 victory.
Shortstop Ten Shindo finished 2-for-3, while Luis Angulo went a perfect 3-for-3.
The second game did not go nearly as well for the Matadors, however.
Arizona Western was able to crack the scoreboard first with a Trace Garrison single in the second inning to bring home Luis Angulo. Angulo made his way around the bases with a single, a steal of second and a walk to force him to third to load the bases.
The Matadors were unable to produce anything more than that, despite the bases remaining juiced after Angulo crossed home plate.
From there on, it was all Apaches. They scored three runs in the sixth inning after Paul Garcia subbed in for starting pitcher Mattia Bernardis and let up a three-run home run. Garcia did not finish the inning, as a call to the bullpen was made and Sawyer Morgan made his way to the bump.
Morgan allowed two runs in the following inning to make it a 7-1 game. It's the first time he and Garcia have given up any runs in their last six appearances.
The Apaches added on another run in the eighth inning.
Arizona Western mustered up a run in the ninth inning when Elian Olmos came into the game to pinch hit for Gerardo Castro and recorded an RBI-single.
Ultimately, it was Cochise coming out with an 8-2 win in the final game of the series.
With the conclusion of the series, Cochise (34-8, 13-5) sits above AWC (29-8, 11-7) in the ACCAC.
The Matadors now prepare for a weekend series starting on April 10 against Eastern Arizona (23-19, 2-16).
