Cochise splits road trip with Eastern Arizona, snaps losing streak

Cochise splits with EAC
April 10, 2024

THATCHER, Ariz. --- It has been a slow start to April for the Cochise Baseball team, having lost five in a row heading into Thatcher where the Apaches faced Eastern Arizona College on Tuesday afternoon. The Apaches finished the month of March strong riding an eight-game winning streak and trying anything to regain that momentum heading into critical ACCAC Division I doubleheaders to finish the regular season. The Gila Monsters were looking to play "spoiler" for Cochise while looking to sneak into that fourth and final spot in the Division 1 playoffs as well.

Game 1: Cochise 10, Eastern Arizona 12

Game 1 in Thatcher was an offensive battle as both teams collected 21 hits and 22 runs, but Cochise fell to EAC 12-10. The Apaches held a 7-2 lead in the second inning where EAC responded with four runs in the bottom half of the frame and scored six more runs in the fourth to seal the Game 1 win for the Gila Monsters. Freshman pitcher Mathis Nayral started on the mound for Cochise surrendering eight hits and nine runs over three and one-third innings, striking out five and walking three. Alejandro Vanegas, Alex Figueroa, and Sam Pitts each threw in relief for Nayral. Offensively, Cochise collected 11 led by sophomore Kieran Gaffney who went 3-for-4 at the plate. Freshman Francisco Laya collected two hits. 

Game 2 (10 innings): Cochise 10, Eastern Arizona 8

It took extra innings to decide the second game of the afternoon, as the Apaches snapped their losing streak by defeating EAC 10-8 in 10 innings. Gaffney added to his big day by going 3-for-4 in Game 2. Cochise struck first in the second inning scoring a run, and adding three more in the sixth and seventh inning. The Apaches looked to shut the door on EAC in the ninth, but the Monsters battled back with a home run that tied the game at seven forcing extra innings. The Apaches bounced right back and scored three more runs in the tenth inning thanks to singles by freshman Darluin Ferreira and sophomore Pablo Garcia. Sophomore lefty Tyson Noel started the game for Cochise, allowing nine hits and four runs over five and one-third innings, striking out seven and walking one. The Apaches tallied nine hits. Ferreira, Kenneth Rhein, and Ruben Villaescusa each drove in two runs. 

Up Next..

Cochise Baseball (30-18,17-13) is back at home on Saturday, April 13th hosting #2-ranked Central Arizona College (38-9,25-5) for a doubleheader at Bo Hall Field beginning at noon.

ACCAC Division 1 Standings (As of April 10th):

  1. Central Arizona College 25-5
  2. Pima Community College 21-9
  3. Arizona Western College 19-9
  4. South Mountain Community College 18-12
  5. Cochise College 17-13
  6. Eastern Arizona College 14-16
  7. Yavapai College 6-22