Game 1: South Mountain Edges Out GateWay in Offensive Slugfest
South Mountain outlasted GateWay in a high-scoring affair by a final score of 12-9 on Tuesday, March 26th. Both teams combined for 27 hits, including a home run by Jeffery Martz, but SMCC's pitching staff was able to limit the damage in the later innings to secure the victory. Although SMCC only had seven hits in the game compared to the 20 hits by GateWay, the pitching struggles by the Geckos ensured the Cougars finished the game with more runs on the board. Andres Gonzalez got the nod on the mound and struggled mightily in his lone inning of work, surrendering eight runs on four hits. Gateway fought back valiantly, answering back with four runs in the bottom of the first inning and two more in the third inning, to reduce South's lead to just two runs. The Geckos ultimately fell short after allowing three more runs to score for South in the top of the ninth inning.
Jeff Martz paced the offense with a home run and 2 RBI, while Macs Carillo added 4 hits and William Mann and Treston Shallenberger each added three hits. Also producing offensively for the Geckos were Braden Watkings, Raenan Padilla and Roy Carrasco who each had two hits a pieace. However, they were unable to overcome the early deficit created by SMCC's offensive outburst..
For GateWay Mat Mayer and Wyatt Bauer provided some stability out of the bullpen, Mayer pitched three innigs allowing 1 hit and no runs with four K's. Bauer pitched four innings allowing no hits and one run on two walks striking out five batters.
Game 2: GateWay Beats South Mountain 8-3!
Wednesday - March 27, 2024
GateWay took down South Mountain by a score of 8-3 in a game highlighted by multiple hitting performances and strong pitching. The Geckos got on the board early with two runs in the top of the second inning. They added three more runs in the fifth and ninth innings to take a commanding lead. South Mountain tried to mount a comeback in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings, plating two runs in the forth and one in the fifth, but GateWay proved to be to strong for them.
Braeden Romero (W) was the winning pitcher for GateWay. He went six innings, allowing four hits, three runs (three earned), walking four, and striking out three. Tyler Smith (SV) pitched three scoreless innings in relief, allowing four hits and striking out three.
The Geckos were led offensively by Nolan Kutcher, who went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Raenan Padilla also had a strong game, going 2-for-5 with three RBI. Treston Shallenberger, Macs Carillo, William Mann, Jeter Mauzey, and Braden Watkins each added a hit for GateWay.
Up Next
GateWay will look to continue their winning ways when they take on Yavapai College in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 30 in Prescott, AZ.
