Apaches Eliminate No. 1 Southern Nevada, Stay Alive in Region 1 Tournament
HENDERSON, Nev. — The Cochise College Apaches kept their postseason run alive Friday morning with a huge 9–7 victory over No. 1 College of Southern Nevada in an elimination game at the NJCAA Region 1 Tournament in Henderson, Nevada. The win eliminates Southern Nevada from postseason play and advances Cochise into the Region 1 semifinals .
Cochise improves to 44–14 overall and will now face the loser of Friday afternoon's matchup between #3 Arizona Western and #4 Central Arizona College on Saturday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. MST in another elimination game.
Apaches Respond Early, Pull Away Midgame
Southern Nevada struck first with a pair of runs in the opening inning and added two more in the third to take a 4–0 lead.
The Apaches answered in the fourth inning when Andrugh Yee launched a two-run home run to left field, scoring Shiryu Sato and cutting the deficit in half. Later in the inning, TJ Shaw Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk to make it 4–3.
Cochise then took control in the sixth inning with a four-run rally.
TJ Shaw Jr. tied the game with an RBI single, before Landon Blais delivered a two-run single to give the Apaches their first lead of the day. Moments later, Shiryu Sato added an RBI single to push the advantage to 7–4.
The Apaches added insurance runs in the seventh inning behind RBI singles from George McCarroll and Landon Blais, extending the lead to 9–4.
Southern Nevada attempted a late comeback with runs in the seventh and eighth innings, but Cochise closed the door to secure the elimination-game victory.
Balanced Offensive Attack
Cochise finished with 11 hits and nine runs, receiving production throughout the lineup.
- Landon Blais: 2-for-5, 3 RBIs
- Shiryu Sato: 3-for-5, RBI, run scored
- Andrugh Yee: 2-run home run
- TJ Shaw Jr.: 2 RBIs
- George McCarroll: RBI, two walks
- Cesar Chavira: hit, two walks, two runs scored
The Apaches also showed patience at the plate, drawing five walks and capitalizing on scoring opportunities throughout the game.
Cushman Delivers on the Mound
Austin Cushman turned in another strong postseason outing, earning the win after throwing seven innings, allowing five runs (four earned) while keeping the Apaches in position to rally.
Out of the bullpen, Dylan Torres and Daniel Gomez combined to finish the game, with Gomez shutting down the Coyotes in the ninth inning to secure the win.
Moving On
After suffering a heartbreaking 13-inning loss Thursday, Cochise responded with resilience and energy in Friday's elimination game, knocking out the tournament's top seed and keeping its season alive.
Up Next
Saturday, May 9
10:00 a.m. MST
Henderson, Nevada
Loser of Arizona Western vs. Central Arizona
Region 1 Semifinal (Elimination Game)
The Apaches will look to continue their postseason run with another win-or-go-home matchup Saturday morning.