Cochise bounces back by taking three of four to visiting USU-Eastern

DOUGLAS, Ariz. -- Those who attended any of the four games Cochise Baseball hosted last week witnessed a little bit of everything, as the Apaches hosted Utah State University-Eastern which included the county's first no-hitter of the season, a walk-off win, and a multi-homerun performance. Cochise Baseball hosted the Golden Eagle of USUE to a two-day, four-game weekend series which was pushed up one day due to anticipated weather conditions. 

Thursday, February 1st (Game 1): Cochise 2, USUE 0

In what was one of the quickest games (time-wise) of the season so far, both pitchers were strong on the hill for their respective teams. The first game on Thursday, which lasted just under two hours, was a low-scoring pitchers-duel which ultimately Cochise freshman pitcher Ramses Guerra came out victorious from. Guerra recorded 21 outs, striking out four, and walking one, and managed to throw the county's first no-hitter of the season. The Apaches only had one hit of their own when George Hogan singled in the fourth inning giving Cochise the lead. Freshman Richard Gutierrez drove in the second Apache run off of an error from USUE giving enough padding for Guerra to cruise the rest of the way. In a post-game interview, the freshman ace acknowledged what was at stake that game, but did not allow his nerves to get the best of him. He also stated how proud he was to accomplish a no-hitter, which was the first of his career, including his time pitching in Panama where he was born and raised.

Thursday, February 2nd (Game 2): Cochise 5, USUE 4

As if a no-hitter wasn't enough, Cochise managed to add late-game heroics on the offensive side for a Game 2 win over the Golden Eagle. It came down to the wire Thursday, as Cochise grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion. The game was tied at 4 in the bottom of the ninth when Sophomore Mathis Muerant hit a base hit up the middle scoring Hadley Smith. Despite being down 4-0 in the second, Cochise fought back behind crucial hits from Meurant and freshman Francisco Laya. Laya went 2 for 4 on the day scoring two runs which tied the game late for Cochise. Sophomore Tyson Noel started the game on the mound for the Apaches, followed by relief appearances from Tanguy Meurant, Alex Figueroa, Luis Diaz, and Alejandro Vanegas.

Friday, February 3rd (Game 1): Cochise 5, USUE 7

Cochise fell short in the first game to USUE on Friday afternoon after losing a 5-4 lead in the seventh inning when relief pitching surrendered a game-tying homerun. The Apaches led 5-1 early on in the game and were poised for their third win in as many games. USUE scored six runs on five hits late in the game to take a 7-5 lead and not look back from there. Laya and sophomore Ruben Villaescusa led the Apaches each with two hits. Tanguy Meurant started on the mound for Cochise after freshman Mathis Nayral was scratched late due to shoulder discomfort. Sophomore Eduardo Torres pitched five innings in relief allowing three hits, striking out two, and walking one.

Friday, February 3rd (Game 2): Cochise 9, USUE 2

Despite giving up the late lead in Game 1, the Apaches refused to give up Friday, as they combined for nine hits and nine runs to pull away from USUE in convincing fashion for a Game 2 win. Freshman infielder Richard Gutierrez hit two home runs to lead the Apaches driving in six runs. The Apaches pulled away for good in the seventh as relief pitching for the Golden Eagle fell apart surrendering four Cochise runs to give them a 9-2 lead. Gutierrez finished the game 3 for 4, and freshman Darluin Ferreira went 2 for 5 scoring two runs. Freshman Sam Pitts was the starting pitcher for Cochise, giving up seven hits while striking out seven. Pitts was relieved by freshman Olmedo Quezada, who threw for three innings allowing one hit and striking out three.

Up Next..

Cochise Baseball (4-4) will host Colorado Northwestern for another two-day four-game series at Bo Hall Field in Douglas, AZ on Thursday, February 8th and 9th each day beginning at 12:00 pm.