Apaches split doubleheader with Chandler-Gilbert

DOUGLAS, Ariz. -- Cochise Baseball hosted Chandler-Gilbert Community College yesterday for another ACCAC afternoon doubleheader. The Apaches were going into the day winners of four straight with doubleheader sweeps of Ottawa University JV and Eastern Arizona College. Chandler-Gilbert came into Douglas winners of three of their last five with victories over non-conference teams Scottsdale Post Grad, Arizona Christian JV, and Okotoks Dawgs. 

In Game 1, the Apaches came away with a close one over the Coyotes 2-0 behind a gem from starting pitcher Marco Ozuna. The reliever-turned-starter threw a complete game shutout striking out nine without allowing a walk. Ozuna's strong effort on the hill was matched by a solid outing from Coyote's pitchers Treyson Peters and Daniel Hutchinson who combined for five strikeouts and three walks. Cochise Baseball struck early in the bottom half of the first inning when Mathis Meurant scored on a passed ball. A second run was manufactured from a double-steal allowing Dylan Bradford to cross home plate giving Ozuna all he needed in order to come away with the win. Offensively, Meurant went 2 for 3 at the plate leading Cochise with Joel Lindahl, Kieran Gaffney, and Christian Olea each collecting a hit.

In Game 2, the Apaches saw themselves on the wrong side of a back-and-forth affair where CGCC pulled away for good in the seventh. Cochise's 4-3 lead in the seventh slipped away due to an error scoring two runs. Evan Shaw started on the mound for Cochise lasting six and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs on five hits, striking out six, and walking one. Alex Figueroa and Zak Elvy entered the game in relief each throwing one and one-third innings. Brett Matson led the Apaches offensively going 2 for 4 with Olea, Pablo Garcia, and Makai DeSoto each collecting a hit. CGCC came away with the 5-4 win.

Cochise Baseball (21-13; 5-11) heads back on the road to Scottsdale Community College (12-12; 8-8) on Saturday, March 25th for an afternoon doubleheader beginning at 12:00pm.