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Apaches Force Winner-Take-All Championship Game with 10–5 Victory Over Central Arizona

Cochise Central
May 10, 2026

HENDERSON, Nev. — The Cochise College Apaches refused to let their season end Saturday afternoon, defeating Central Arizona College 10–5 in the NJCAA Region 1 Championship Round in Henderson, Nevada. The victory forces an "if necessary" winner-take-all championship game on Sunday afternoon between the two programs .

Cochise improves to 46–14 overall and will now face Central Arizona again on Sunday, May 10 at 12:00 p.m. MST with the Region 1 Championship and a trip to the next stage of postseason play on the line.

Big Innings Propel Cochise

The Apaches used timely hitting and patience at the plate to build an early advantage before pulling away late.

Cochise struck first in the second inning when Shiryu Sato ripped a bases-clearing double down the left field line, scoring Sawyer Fech, Anthony Montez, and Gavin Mesa to give the Apaches a 3–0 lead.

An inning later, TJ Shaw Jr. drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead to 4–0.

Central Arizona answered in the bottom of the third with four runs to tie the game, but Cochise responded immediately.

In the fifth inning, the Apaches erupted for four more runs:

Cochise later added insurance runs in the ninth inning behind an RBI double from TJ Shaw Jr. and a sacrifice fly from Brady Skinner.

Shaw Jr. and Sato Lead Offense

Cochise finished with 10 runs on eight hits, while drawing 10 walks and consistently applying pressure offensively.

TJ Shaw Jr. delivered a huge performance, finishing with:

  • 2 hits
  • 4 RBIs
  • 2 stolen bases

Shiryu Sato added a three-RBI double, while Anthony Montez finished with two hits and an RBI.

Landon Blais collected two hits, and Gavin Mesa reached base three times and scored twice.

Bullpen Steps Up

After Central Arizona tied the game in the third inning, the Cochise pitching staff settled in and controlled the remainder of the contest.

Noah Miller was outstanding in relief, earning the win after throwing six innings, allowing just one hit and one run while striking out three.

Ben Couvreur also provided a key scoreless inning in relief after entering during Central Arizona's third-inning rally.

The Apaches held Central Arizona scoreless from the fourth through eighth innings to maintain control.

Winner-Take-All Sunday

Cochise has now battled through four consecutive elimination games in Henderson and will have one final opportunity Sunday to claim the Region 1 Championship.

Sunday, May 10
12:00 p.m. MST
Henderson, Nevada
Central Arizona College
NJCAA Region 1 Championship Game

The winner advances to the NJCAA West District Tournament.