Apaches suffer heartbreaking loss to Central Arizona in Game 1

DOUGLAS, Ariz. --- Cochise Baseball hoped to carry some momentum after clinching their first playoff berth since 2022 as they hosted the Central Arizona Vaqueros in a best-of-three semifinals series. 

Thursday, May 1st (Game 1, 9 innings): Cochise 2, Central Arizona 3

Both starting pitchers were able to continuously work their way in and out of trouble the first two times through the order. The bottom of the 5th inning saw Cochise finally break through with an RBI single from Francisco Laya. The Vaqueros replied with a single score of their own in the next half-inning. Noah Allison led off the home half of the 7th with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Alex Dabrowski. Things were looking the Apaches' way until a 9th-inning single and a two-run home run put Central Arizona up late. Cochise failed to retaliate in the bottom half, dropping the opener. Collin Smith tossed eight and one-third innings, allowing three runs and striking out nine batters. Daniel Gomez came on in relief for two-thirds of an inning, striking out two. 

Up Next...

Cochise Baseball (42-15, 23-13) now looks to fight off their season's end as they host Central Arizona College once again on May 2 at 2:00 p.m., in hopes of pushing for a possible Game 3 on May 3 at 12:00 p.m. at Bo Hall Field in Douglas, Arizona.  

(Submitted by: Jacob Saavedra, Cochise College Sports Information Assistant)