Apaches Rally Late to Defeat No. 15 Arizona Western, Take Series Opener 4–3

YUMA, Ariz. — The No. 14 Cochise College Apaches opened their three-game ACCAC road series with a statement victory Friday afternoon, rallying late to defeat No. 15 Arizona Western College 4–3.

With the win, Cochise improves to 33–7 overall (12–4 ACCAC), extending its strong run in conference play .

Late-Inning Comeback Seals the Win

Trailing 3–2 entering the ninth inning, the Apaches delivered in the clutch to steal the opener.

After Anthony Montez reached and Gavin Mesa got aboard, Shiryu Sato came through with a two-RBI single, scoring both runners and giving Cochise its first lead of the game at 4–3.

Cochise had chipped away earlier in the contest, with Sawyer Fech driving in a run in the fourth and Mesa adding an RBI single in the seventh to keep the Apaches within striking distance.

Pitching Keeps Cochise in It

Despite falling behind early, Cochise's pitching staff kept the game manageable and allowed the offense time to respond.

Austin Cushman delivered a solid start, working 6.1 innings while allowing three runs and striking out five against a tough Arizona Western lineup.

Out of the bullpen, Daniel Gomez was dominant, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings with three strikeouts to earn the win and shut the door on the Matadors.

Arizona Western managed just eight hits on the day and was held scoreless over the final three innings.

Balanced Offensive Effort

Cochise finished with nine hits, led by Shiryu Sato, who went 2-for-5 with two RBIs, including the game-winning hit.

Gavin Mesa added an RBI and scored the go-ahead run, while Cesar Chavira contributed two hits. Anthony Montez scored twice, and Landon Blais and Andrugh Yee each added hits as the Apaches produced timely offense throughout the lineup.

Statement Road Win

The victory marks an important start to a key conference series against a nationally ranked opponent, showcasing Cochise's ability to execute in high-pressure situations on the road.

Up Next

Cochise continues the series against No. 15 Arizona Western College on Saturday, April 4, with a doubleheader in Yuma, Arizona.

First pitch: 12:00 PM