Game 1: GateWay Edges Phoenix College in Close High-Scoring Affair (7-6)
GateWay held off Phoenix College to win a nail-biter by a score of 7-6 on Friday. The game was a high-scoring affair with both teams trading blows throughout. GateWay wasted no time getting on the board, with a solo home run by Jeffery Martz in the first inning. Phoenix College plated two runs in the top of the third to take the lead, 2-1. GateWay answered back with two more runs off a single by Will Mann in the bottom of the third to regain the lead. The Bears would again respond with two runs off an error in the top of the fourth to regain the lead, but the Geckos kept fighting and scored two more runs in the bottom of the fifth. PC again responded with one run in the seventh and one run in the eighth to take the lead 6-5 but it wouldn't be enough. The Geckos secured the win with two more runs in the bottom of the eighth.
Jeffery Martz led the charge for GateWay, going 2-for-4 with 3 runs scored, a home run, and 2 RBIs. William Mann chipped in going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs and a stolen base. Also contibuting was Jeter Mauzey (2-for-3, 1 run), Treston Shallenberger (2-for-4, SacB, SB), Nolan Kutcher (1-for-4, 1 RBI), Braden Watkins (1-for-4, 1 run), and James Warren (1-for-1, 1 Run, 1 RBI).
The pitching on both sides was shaky at times, with a combined 11 walks issued. However, GateWay's pitching staff was able to make key outs when they needed them most. Parker Moore opened the game for the Geckos, going 2.1 innings, allowing one hit and two runs. Gus Rogers picked up the win in relief, going 5.1 innings and allowing only one earned run. Matthew DAmato closed out the game for GateWay, striking out two in one inning picthed.
Game 2: GateWay Dominates Phoenix College 8-1
GateWays offense was on fire, scoring eight runs on thirteen hits to defeat Phoenix College by a score of 8-1 on Saturday at Phoenix College. The Geckos came out hot scoring two runs in the first and continued to score throughout the game putting up one run in the third, forth, and fifth, two in the sixth, and one more in the eighth to secure the win. Will Mann led the way for the Geckos going 3-for-4 with three runs scored, a home run, a stolen base, and two RBIs. Treston Shallenberger and Roy Carrasco also had productive days at the plate, each collecting two and three hits respectively. Shallenberger scored a run and drove in another, while Carrasco scored a run. Also contributing was Jeffery Martz (1-for-4, 1 run), Nolan Kutcher (1-for-3, 1 run, 2 RBI), Braden Watkins (1-for-3, 2 RBI), and Kevynn Fernandez (1-for-1, with a double) .
Logan Martin earned the win for GateWay, pitching 7.2 innings and allowing only one run on three hits. He struck out ten batters and walked four. Wyatt Bauer pitched the final 1.1 innings for the Geckos, allowing no runs on one hit.
