Apaches Split Doubleheader at Pima on First Road Trip of Season
The Cochise College Apaches wrapped up their first road trip of the 2026 season on Tuesday with a doubleheader split against Pima Community College, earning a win in the opener before dropping the nightcap to move to 3–1 overall.
Game One: Cochise 5, Pima 1
Cochise opened the day with a strong all-around performance, defeating Pima 5–1 behind timely hitting and solid pitching, as shown in the official box score.
The Apaches jumped out early, scoring two runs in the first inning and adding runs in the second and fourth to build momentum. Cochise finished with 11 hits in the contest, led by Sawyer Fech, who went 3-for-4 with an RBI and a double. TJ Shaw Jr. added two hits and drove in a run, while Anthony Montez and Andrugh Yee each contributed RBIs.
Gavin Mesa and Zach Cavanaugh reached base multiple times and helped set the table at the top of the lineup, as Cochise consistently put pressure on the Pima defense.
On the mound, sophomore Collin Smith earned the win after allowing just one unearned run over four innings while striking out five. Shane Hooper was dominant in relief, tossing three scoreless innings and striking out three to close out the victory.
Game Two: Pima 4, Cochise 2
In Game 2, Cochise was unable to complete the sweep, falling 4–2 in a tightly contested game.
The Apaches were held scoreless through six innings before mounting a late rally in the seventh, scoring twice to cut into Pima's lead. S. Sato provided a spark with a triple and an RBI, while Jorge Cardenas added an RBI double. Shaw, Fech, and Landon Blais each recorded hits as Cochise totaled six on the day.
Sophomore transfer Ben Smith started on the mound and worked 2.2 innings, allowing one run. Austin Cushman and Daniel Gomez followed in relief, but Pima used timely hitting to build its advantage. Despite the late push, Cochise could not complete the comeback.
Positive Start on the Road
Through four games, the Apaches have shown balance at the plate and depth on the mound, combining strong pitching performances with consistent offensive production. The split at Pima provided valuable experience for a young squad and helped Cochise finish its first road trip of the season with a 3–1 record.
Up Next
Cochise returns home to Bo Hall Field in Douglas, Arizona, for a four-game homestand:
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Thursday, Feb. 5 – 2:00 p.m. (single game)
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Friday, Feb. 6 – 12:00 p.m. (doubleheader)
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Saturday, Feb. 7 – 12:00 p.m. (single game)
The Apaches will look to continue building momentum as they continue their home schedule in front of the Douglas faithful.
