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Online Extra: Softball’s 20-game win streak snapped

Story, photo and video by James Kelley

While the Pima Community College softball team suffered its first consecutive losses of the season on March 23, it had won 20 in a row and even won 15 games in a span of seven days.

The No. 3 Aztecs (41-5, 13-3 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) were swept by Eastern Arizona College, 4-1 and 5-4, to end their 20-game win streak.

“After winning 20 games in a row, it’s going to happen. We came out flat and we just got beat, no excuses,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We were flat as a pancake but, hey, we’ll bounce back.”

Pima started the year unranked but in the first regular season poll, released on March 17, shot up to No. 3.

On March 21, the Aztecs competed in the Tucson Invitational Games, where it won by football scores, outscoring foes 49-2. Sophomore Jordan Trujillo (20-2) started the first game, a 17-0 win over Ancilla (Ind.) and struck out 10.

“I was pleasantly surprised we had a 20-game win streak, that is amazing at the college level, at any level,” Quiroz said.

Freshman Adrianna Garcia (15-3) started the second game, also against Ancilla, where she threw a two-hitter and had eight strikeouts.

Pima capped the day with a 22-2 win over Prairie State (Ill.) College. Pima totaled 53 hits on the day, including five home runs.

Freshman utility Charissa Ballesteros hit one out of the park and went 9-13. She scored six runs, drove in seven RBIs and hit a double.

“I think we are playing fantastic,” sophomore outfielder Chelsea Slama said after the Prairie State game. “We have a very strong team and we get along great. Team chemistry, that’s the number one thing we got and that’s why we won so many games.”

Slama slammed two inside-the-park home runs, had six RBIs and scored six runs on the day. Sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo scored nine runs, went 8-10, hit a triple, drove in four and hit a home run.

On March 16, Pima swept Paradise Valley Community College on the road, 2-0 and 2-1. Jordan Trujillo won Game 1, and struck out 16.

Ballesteros went 3-6 in the doubleheader, driving in three of the Aztecs’ four runs. Freshman infielder Vanessa Arandules went 3-5, scored a run and hit a double.

On March 15, the Aztecs won a couple of slugfests, 9-8 and 14-10, over Division III No. 3 Monroe (N.Y.) Community College. Slama scored three runs and Ballesteros drove in three RBIs in the first game.

In the nightcap, sophomore shortstop Kaity Ingram went 4-4, scored five runs and drove in two. Ballesteros scored a run and had three RBIs.

On March 14, Pima closed out the Phoenix College Spring Classic Invitational with an epic day of four wins, including revenge against two of the teams that beat them, Division II No. 2 Phoenix College

Melina Trujillo

and Central Arizona College.

“We were exhausted,” Quiroz said. “Those girls have a lot of heart, a lot of fight in them.”

First, the Aztecs mercy-ruled Everett (Wash.) Community College 9-1. They then got another mercy rule win, this time 11-0 over Monroe.  In the semifinals, they beat the host. In the championship, they beat Central Arizona 7-6 in eight innings.

For the second day in a row, all three Pima pitchers earned wins. Adrianna Garcia beat Everett, sophomore Iliana Teran (6-0) beat Monroe in the quarterfinals and Jordan Trujillo won the semifinals and finals.

“We have great pitchers on our squad and we can win with any one of the three,” Quiroz said.

Jordan Trujillo, who was named tournament MVP, pitched 15 innings and struck out 18 on that Sunday.

Pima outscored foes 34-10 and outhit them 51-28 on Championship Sunday. Freshman infielder Mercedes Garcia led the way, as she went 9-14, hit four doubles and drove in five RBIs.

On the second day of the tournament, March 13, the Aztecs went 3-0. Pima mercy-killed Everett 11-0, beat Mott (Mich.) Community College 4-1 and also run-ruled Triton (Ill.) Community College 9-1.

Freshman infielder Charissa Ballasteros went 8-11 in the three wins, including 3-4 against Everett, hitting a double, two home runs and driving in six RBIs. Arandules also hit two home runs, one against Everett and one against Mott.

On March 12, Pima opened the Phoenix College with two mercy-rule wins over foes from Illinois. Adrianna Garcia and Teran combined to hit South Suburban College in a 15-0 win.

Jordan Trujillo struck out seven in the second game, an 8-0 win over Illinois Central College. Sophomore infielder Domonique Marquez hit a three run home run.

On March 10, the Aztecs spanked Delta (Mich.) College, winning both games of the doubleheader 8-0 in five innings.

Jordan Trujillo threw a no-hitter and struck out 10 of the 18 batters she faced in the first game. Marquez hit a double, a triple and drove in three RBIs.

In the second game, Teran threw a two-hitter.

In the national stats, Jordan Trujillo is No. 11 in strike outs with 1.43 per inning and Ballesteros is No. 4 in RBIs with 51. As a team, Pima is eighth in both batting, with .390, and fielding.

On March 27, the Aztecs host Central Arizona College at noon. On March 30, they host Gateway Community College at 2 p.m.

On April Fool’s Day, they travel to No. 11 Yavapai College in a game originally scheduled Feb. 23 that was snowed out. Yavapai is the defending national champion and in the preseason was ranked No. 1.

“I think with the way we are playing right now, we can beat anyone,” Slama said about Yavapai after the Tucson Invitational Games.

On April 3, PCC hosts Glendale Community College at noon. On April 6, they travel to ACCAC-contender Arizona Western College.

Online Extra: Visit Hi Corbett Field Spring Training while you can

Story, video and photos by Steve Choice

Baseball and sunshine go hand in hand. With Tucson boasting more than 300 clear days per year, there’s no better place to enjoy a day in the sun than Hi Corbett Field, centrally located at 3400 E. Camino Campestre, in Randolph and Reid Parks.

One of the main appeals of baseball is its outdoor setting. For generations, fans have loved to sit in the open air, feel the breeze on their faces and gaze upon the perfectly manicured fields. Hi Corbett delivers all of that, and then some.

The park, originally built in 1937, features a gorgeous backdrop of the Santa Rita Mountains over the right-field fence, as well as a beautiful view of the Santa Catalinas from the upper deck in the opposite direction.

The field itself offers a sight that any Tucsonan can surely appreciate, with its gleaming expanse of lush, green grass.

But baseball isn’t only about the great outdoors. There’s plenty going on in other areas of the stadium, too—like at the concession stands.

Concession stands sell classic ballpark food ranging from foot-long “Rockie dogs” to fresh lemonade.

As the spring home of the major league Colorado Rockies, the fare from Coors Field in Denver is on tap throughout the park.

Foot-long “Rockie dogs” and brats costing $6 are kings of the concessions mountain. They’re grilled to the perfect state of blackened, then smothered in grilled onions, peppers and sauerkraut, if so desired. Top it off with the usual ballpark condiments, and it’s a bit of Americana heaven.

In the stadium’s southwestern section, quesadillas, nachos, churros and burros step up to bat. Burros can be enjoyed with red chili and chicken, green chili and beef, or beans and cheese.

All the classic snack food selections are also on hand, including the peanuts and Cracker Jacks that the sport’s unofficial anthem promises.

Liquid refreshments bat clean-up. No stadium is complete without cold beer, and Hi Corbett doesn’t disappoint. Prices range from $5.75 to $6.25.

Most of the major domestics are available, either on tap or chilling in bottles on beds of ice. There are also microbrew choices from the New Belgium Brewing Company of Fort Collins, Colo., as well as Corona. Margaritas and cocktails provide other options in the adult beverage bullpen.

For those who prefer to keep their wits about them as they watch for screaming foul balls, there are numerous soft drinks ($4.75), fresh lemonade ($4 to $5.75) and bottled water ($3).

What about the action on the field? There’s that, too, and it’s spectacular.

Nothing compares to seeing big league players up close, in an intimate minor league setting. Whether it’s a hard-charging rookie busting his hump to make the team or an established all-star rounding back into top form, the talent displayed on the diamond is world class.

Ballparks draw fans of all ages, and the crowd at Hi Corbett reflects that.

Pima Community College student Layla Hernández, who plans to major in Mexican-American Studies next semester at the University of Arizona, is one person who’s sold on the experience.

“I just love coming out here,” Hernández said. “I used to come see the Toros with my dad all the time when I was little, and then I didn’t go for a few years. I really missed it.”

Another true baseball lover is long-time Rockies fan Phyllis Walter, 79, of Wheat Ridge, Colo.

“I drove down here to see my sister in Green Valley, but I also really wanted to see my Rockies in Tucson,” the Coors Brewing Company retiree said.

“This is my first game at Hi Corbett Field, and I’m thrilled,” Walter added. “After working 50 years at Coors, now I have time to get to more games. There’s nothing better than going to a Rockies game, except maybe seeing the Broncos.”

Somehow a baseball game deeply embeds itself in the subconscious. Maybe it’s because the sport has always perfectly symbolized summer and feeling carefree.  Perhaps it speaks to the sense of renewal and hopefulness that warm weather brings each year.

As John Fogerty sings in “Centerfield,” his ode to the game: “We’re born again, there’s new grass on the field.”

Whatever it is, it’s a thing of beauty. When the field is greenest, the skies the clearest and the sun most brilliant, the crack of the bat and favorite music will fill the air. And that’s when Hi Corbett Field’s turnstiles will be spinning.

Rockies’ spring training home games end March 31. Following that, the independent Golden Baseball League Tucson Toros take the field at Hi Corbett from May 19 to Sept. 4.

Fans can also catch the major league Arizona Diamondbacks at Tucson Electric Park, located at 2500 E. Ajo Way, in the Kino Sports Complex. For details, call toll-free at (866) 672-1343 or go to arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/spring_training.

This is the last season that the Rockies and Diamondbacks will hold their spring camps in Tucson, so local baseball enthusiasts should get out and enjoy the big league action while it’s still in town.

The free parking around Hi Corbett can fill quickly, but there is plenty of overflow space at El Con Mall, an easy walk away. Parking there is also no charge, and there’s a free shuttle that takes fans from the mall to the park.

Start time for all Hi Corbett games is 1:10 p.m. Gates open two hours early. Tickets cost $4-17.

The ballpark has a capacity of 9,500, and offers free parking and handicap-accessible seating.

FYI

Tucson Spring Training

Where:

Hi Corbett Field,

3400 E. Camino Campestre

Tickets: 1-800-388-7625

Tucson Electric Park,

2500 E. Ajo Way

Tickets: 1-866-672-1343

Details:

Cactus League: cactusleague.com

Colorado Rockies: coloradorockies.com

Arizona Diamondbacks: dbacks.com

Online Extra: Soundslide show of Tucson Peace Fest

By Mike Hawkins

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‘Give Kids A Smile Day’

Photos by Alex Velasquez

Feb. 12 at the dental clinic on West Campus, students enrolled in Dental Studies and Tucson dentists provided elementary students with teeth cleaning, oral health education and examinations.

“It is a fun event for the children, and a very rewarding event for the students as well as our community volunteers,” said Pam Truitt, Dental Studies department chair.

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Online Extra: West Campus Black History Month celebrations

In celebration of Black History Month, Barbea Williams Performing Co. performed an African drum and dance at West Campus on Feb. 23.

Photos by Gabi Pina
Video by Mike Hawkins

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Online Extra: Softball plays the waiting game

By James Kelley
Photos by James Kelley

The Pima Community College softball team’s young season has been a lesson in extremes, just not on the field.

The Aztecs (12-2, 3-1 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) have continued to excel on the field, at least when they have gotten to play games on it.

Pima’s double-header against Scottsdale Community College on Feb. 20, which would have been its first game in a week, was postponed due to rain. It will be made up Feb. 25.

Then, its Feb. 23 meeting with rival Yavapai College, currently No. 1 in Division I, was also postponed. A new date has not yet been set.

PCC opened the season playing eight games over five days. In the next two weeks, the team has 16 games.

“I don’t think it will affect us,” head coach Armando Quiroz said about the time off. “The girls are focused.”

Quiroz said the schedule, light in February and heavy in March, was not by design. It just worked out that way because out-of-state teams come to play in March.

Domonique Marquez

In the Aztecs’ last game, on Feb. 13, Pima split a conference doubleheader with Phoenix College, which is No. 2 in Division II. Pima won the first game 4-3 in eight innings, but lost the second game 8-4.

Sophomore pitcher Jordan Trujillo (6-0) struck out nine of the Bears’ hitters in the first game. Sophomore outfielder Chelsea Slama went 4-5 and freshman infielder Mercedes Garcia went 2-4.

Freshman pitcher Adrianna Garcia (6-2) had a rough outing in the nightcap. Sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo went 3-4, with an RBI, and sophomore outfielder Claudia Nunez went 2-2.

“I think Phoenix College is a very good team and I think we are a very good team as well,” Quiroz said. “I think it was a very good learning experience for our young players, that the day is not over after the first win. It is only half over.”

On Feb. 12, the Aztecs blasted El Paso Community College at home, sweeping a doubleheader, 16-0 in five innings and then 8-4. Jordan Trujillo and sophomore Iliana Teran combined to pitch a two-hitter.

“El Paso’s a team that we are familiar with—that we have played the last couple of years. They always put up a good battle, they played us tough last year,” Quiroz said. “I think it was a good experience for our young girls, to see some out-of-state teams like we did in Vegas. The more out-of-state teams we see, the more they realize ‘hey, we’re not bad.’”

The Aztecs get busy over the next two weeks. On Feb. 27 they host Arizona Western at noon and on March 1 they host Lake Michigan College at 2 p.m. On March 2, they host South Mountain Community College at 2 p.m.

Two days later, on March 4, they head to Central Arizona College, and then on March 6 they travel to Mesa Community College. On March 8, they play Delta College at home at 2 p.m. A day later, they go to Chandler-Gilbert Community College.

Jordan Trujillo is the No. 13 pitcher in the country in strike outs, with 1.38 per inning. Kaity Ingram is 22nd in stolen bases, with six out of seven attempts.

Sophomore infielder Ena Pacheco and freshman utility Charissa Ballesteros are 24th and 25th in home runs, respectively. They are tied at 19th in RBIs with 14.

As a team, Pima has the 10th best record in the country in terms of winning percentage and is seventh in batting average, hitting .387. The team is eighth in fielding percentage.

Online Extra: Women’s basketball seeks return to nationals

Update: the Aztecs clinched the top seed and home court advantage throughout the Regional playoffs. They open the playoffs on Tuesday vs. No. 4 seed South Mountain at 5:30 pm in the Aztec Gym.

By Eric Townsend
Photos by James Kelley
Video by Steve Choice

Last year at this time, the Pima Community College women’s basketball team began its run to nationals. The Aztecs are primed to repeat that run but also bring home a national championship.

“The end of the season sets the tone for the playoffs,” head coach Todd Holthaus said.

Fresh off their three-point loss to Central Arizona College on Feb. 10, the Aztecs quickly rebounded by winning three straight.

Pima is essentially locked in to the region tournament and will likely host a playoff game. However, it hasn’t secured the No. 1 seed.

As the Aztecs enter the final week, they have to win one of their remaining two games in order to clinch the top spot.

“We just have to take it one game at a time,” sophomore Abyee Maracigan said. “We want to get the No. 1 seed, but we won’t be disappointed if we don’t. We want to get to nationals and will take whatever road needed to get there.”

If Pima were to lose both games, Mesa Community College could possibly steal the top spot and rob Pima’s chance of hosting the regional tournament.

The Aztecs host the Mesa Thunderbirds on Feb. 26 for the season finale, a game that could have playoff implications. Pima lost 78-74 at Mesa earlier this season.

“It’ll be sophomore night for us,” Maracigan said. “We lost to them up there and we felt like we didn’t play our best game. We played our B game and they played their A game.”

If Mesa loses on Feb. 23, the Aztecs would only have to win one game to clinch the No. 1 spot. Pima traveled to South Mountain Community College on Feb. 23.

Holthaus isn’t too worried about the added pressure.

“Last year no one expected us to do well, but now people expect us to win and that’s the difference between this year and last year, but we just have to go play,” he said.

“We just have to play our game,” Maracigan said. “When we put too much pressure on ourselves we don’t play well. We just got to go out there and have fun.”

Pima beat Yavapai 76-52 on Feb. 20 to win its third straight. Sophomore forward Tia Morrison led all scorers with 21 points and sophomores Abyee Maracigan and Jessica Jones contributed with 16 and 10 points, respectively.

“With the win, we are in good position in the conference and we still have a good chance to go to nationals,” Morrison said.

Pima handled Glendale Community College on Feb. 17 with an easy 58-49 win. Morrison picked up a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Sophomore guard Nene Villalobos led all Pima scorers with 13 points while Maracigan totaled eight points.

Online Extra: Baseball displays offensive power, continues winning

By James Sargent
Photo by James Kelley

The Pima Community College baseball team finally got its offense going in the past three games against the University of Arizona Club team and Tucson Nationals baseball club. The Aztecs’ overall record has now blossomed to 4-6 on the season.

The doubleheader scheduled for Feb. 20 against the Gila Monsters of Eastern Arizona College was postponed due to rain. Pima’s double-header against Yavapai was moved to Feb. 25.

The Aztecs had a six-day layoff between their doubleheader sweep against the UA Club team and then a single game on Feb. 15 against the Wildcats. Pima pounded out 21 hits in a 19-0 win for its third win over the Cats this season.

“This win helped with the confidence of our hitters,” head coach Edgar Soto said. “Hitting is such a mental thing.  Sometimes you just need some success to get you going.”

The Aztec pitching also dominated, as the four-man staff allowed just one hit in the shutout.  Sophomore pitcher Richie Sandoval earned the win, striking out six and not surrendering a hit through four innings of work.

Freshmen Robert Ravago and Matt Pavelich pitched the middle innings. Freshman Ryan Retz threw the final three hitless innings, where he also struck out six.

Six Aztecs registered multi-hit games, with four batters picking up three hits each. Freshmen Abel Chavez and Leo Durazo, and sophomores Alex Ferguson and Pepito Moreno all had three knocks. Moreno also had three RBIs, while the other three batters knocked in a pair of RBIs each.

Pima split a double-header with the Tucson Nationals. The Aztecs lost the first game 8-7 but won the second 13-6.

Ryan Retz

The PCC baseball team hosted its annual Alumni Baseball Camp on Feb. 13.

The two-hour camp, run by former Aztecs who have played in the Big Leagues, featured players who are currently playing professionally in the minors.

Alumni who worked at the camp and provided drills to the children who attended included Arizona Diamondbacks’ hitting coach Jack Howell, St. Louis Cardinals’ outfield coordinator Tom Spencer, Cincinnati Reds’ scouting supervisor Clark Crist, former Major League players Gil Heredia and George Arias, Kansas City Royals’ Gilbert De La Vara, Pittsburgh Pirates’ Donald Veal, Los Angeles Dodgers’ Jesus Castillo and current Mexico professional baseball player Jesus Cota.

“Jack Howell, who is currently the Big League hitting coach for the AZ D-Backs, gave us a lot of inspiration because he started off here at Pima,” Soto said.

Following the camp, a home run derby took place. To close out the day, the Aztec baseball team took on the alumni team in a nine-inning game. The current team trounced the alumni by a score of 8-0.

Pima also retired Rich Alday’s jersey, No. 26, placing it on the outfield wall at the Aztecs’ ballpark. Alday held the first head coaching job in PCC baseball history.

Online Extra: Softball off to soaring start

Story and Photos by James Kelley

The Pima Community College softball team started the season unranked but is nonetheless off to a near-perfect start, dominating the national stats and doing so excitingly.

The Aztecs (9-1, 2-0 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) opened conference play on Feb. 9 at Glendale Community College in style, winning 3-0 and 9-4.

Sophomore pitcher Jordan Trujillo (4-0) pitched a no hitter in the first game. In the second, the Aztecs lit up the Gaucho pitching.

Sophomore infielder Kaity Ingram had four RBIs, three coming off a triple that was a foot away from a home run. Freshman utility Charissa Ballesteros went 3-5 and sophomore outfielder Claudia Nunez went 3-3.

“It’s amazing, everybody is doing so good, the chemistry is really good this year,” sophomore outfielder Danielle Bravo said. “I believe we have a shot this year.”

PCC started the year unranked in the 20-team preseason poll, though the team was fourth in the “other schools receiving votes” category.

In Pima’s first home double-header, the Aztecs held on to beat Mesa Community College 6-4 and then earned a 10-0, six-inning, mercy rule shortened win.

“We’re excited and optimistic,” head coach Armando Quiroz said. “We expect to do very well.”

Kaity Ingram

Jordan Trujillo struggled with a blister on her pitching thumb but still struck out 10 Thunderbirds. Ingram drove in three runs and two RBIs.

In the second game, Garcia (5-1) earned a shutout. Ballesteros, sophomore infielder Ena Pacheco and Bravo all hit home runs, scoring seven off the long ball.

Bravo, who is 4 feet 11 inches, five inches smaller than any other Aztec, sealed the deal with a walk-off home run. It was her first career home run.

“It was amazing, it felt good but what I loved most was that the girls were there right when I got there,” Bravo said. “I think that’s what cheered me up the most, was seeing them at home plate, cheering me on and just getting on me. It was great and I think that’s what pumped me up the most.”

The Aztecs opened their season in Las Vegas at the College of Southern Nevada Kickoff Classic, where they went 5-1.

On Jan. 29 in the season opener, Jordan Trujillo pitched a gem, throwing a two-hitter and striking out 15, leading the Aztecs to an upset of No. 20 College of Southern Idaho.

“She had a great Vegas tournament,” Quiroz said. “I think she was double-digit strike outs in every game.”

Ballesteros hit the game-winning home run against Southern Idaho. Garcia debuted in a 5-3 win over North Idaho College, where sophomore catcher Melina Trujillo went 3-4.

On the second day, Pima started with an 11-3 loss to No. 13 Salt Lake City Community College, where Garcia got her first college loss. In the next game, Jordan Trujillo struck out 10 batters in a 4-2 win over Chipola College.

In the third game on Jan. 30, Garcia bounced back by getting a win after coming out of the bullpen in a 10 inning 7-6 win over the hosts. Pacheco went 5-11 on the day, with a home run and five RBIs. Ingram went 6-8.

Pima capped the CSN tournament with a 9-1 win over Western Nevada College Jan. 31. Garcia got the win and sophomore outfielder Chelsea Slama went 3-4, scored two runs and drove in one RBI.

The next two weeks are important as Pima tries to get home field advantage for the playoffs and force cold weather Yavapai College to come to Tucson in May.

On Feb. 12 at 2 p.m., the Aztecs host El Paso Community College. Then on Feb. 13, there will be no love lost when they host old rival, Division II No. 2 and defending ACCAC champion Phoenix College at home at noon.

On Feb. 20, PCC hosts Scottsdale Community College. Three days later, Pima travels to top-ranked defending national Yavapai.

“It’s an important month for us,” Quiroz said. “It is really important for us to get off to a good start, to kind of build a cushion.”

The season is young but the Aztecs are all over the NJCAA national stats. The team is seventh in batting average with 3.46 and eighth in fielding.

Jordan Trujillo is ranked No. 7 in the country in pitching with a 0.68 ERA, while Garcia is 30th with a 3.56 ERA. Jordan Trujillo is also No. 2 in strikeouts with 33, 1.60 per inning, while Garcia is ninth with 18.

Ingram is 46th with a .500 batting average while Pacheco is 48th, hitting .474. Pacheco is No. 7 in RBI with 10 and Ballesteros is 35th with six. Melina Trujillo is 37th in field percentage, .981, and Ballesteros is 39th with .979.

Online Extra: Baseball sweeps doubleheader to end losing streak

By James Sargent
Photo by James Kelley

The Pima Community College baseball team has struggled so far in the beginning of this young season starting off with a record of 2-5. The Aztecs finally managed to end a its 10 game skid dating back to last season.

“We are still trying to figure some things out,” head coach Edgar Soto said about the 0-5 road start.  “We have to do the little things right to win games.”

On Tuesday, Feb. 9 Pima played the UA club team in a doubleheader at Kino Sports Complex.

Pima exploded by scoring 19 runs on 26 hits in the combined two games.  The Aztecs recorded its first two wins of the season, 8-1 and 11-5.

Sophomore Joey Pavlovich (1-1) pitched five innings. He gave up two hits, no runs and four strikeouts.

Freshman Cameron Blazevich went 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Sophomore Alex Ferguson also went 3-4 with one RBI.

In the second game, freshman Matt Pavelich (1-0) relieved to earn the win, working two innings out of the bullpen.

Freshman Jesus Vega went 4-5 with a triple, an RBI and two stolen bases.  Freshman Leo Durazo went 3-5 with three RBIs.

On Jan. 29 the Aztecs opened their 2010 campaign with a 3-2 loss at Paradise Valley Community College.

Sophomore Tim Reed got the start and was only able to complete three innings of work.  Reed left the game with a no decision and gave way to the bullpen.

Freshmen Matt Pavelich and Robert Ravago pitched in relief.  Ravago finished the game and he gave up three runs, on two hits, to earn the loss.

Sophomore Alex Ferguson led the way at the plate, where he went 3-4 and scored one run.

Sophomores Justin Zumwalde and Jesus Martinez also picked up a pair of hits as they each went 2-4, in the season opening loss.

On Jan. 30 Pima continued to slide and lost a pair of games in a doubleheader against the Pumas, 4-0 and 1-0.

Sophomore Chuy Gomez took the loss in Game 1 game while freshman Manolo Mendoza took the loss in Game 2.

Pima traveled north the next week to take on the No. 9 Wildcats of Western Nevada College.

There was a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 5 and both games ended in a loss.

Tim Reed took the hill in his second start and pitched eight innings, giving up five runs, four earned and took the loss.

The Aztecs two RBIs came from second baseman, Jesus Vega, and third baseman, Tommy King.

The final score for Game 1 was 5-3.

In the second game, Chuy Gomez pitched four innings while surrendering five earned runs.

Robert Ravago relieved Gomez going four innings and giving up no runs.

Vega provided the lone RBI and the Aztecs lost the game 5-2.

The Aztecs were leading 3-0 in a third game but it was called off due to rain in the first inning.

“The key games are our conference games,” Soto said.  “They are the games that make the difference.  We need to figure out the best lineup so when we start our conference games we give ourselves the best chance to win.”

Online Extra: Women’s basketball pushes Central Arizona to the limit

By James Kelley and Eric Townsend

The Pima Community College women’s basketball team’s bid for a historic win came up just short.

The No. 11 Aztecs (18-7, 13-4 Arizona Community College Athletic Conference) hosted super power No. 8 Central Arizona College on Feb. 10 seeking to snap the Vaqueras’ 144 ACCAC game win streak but came up short, falling 75-72.

Central led most of the game, by as much as 13, but Pima’s furious rally cut the lead to one with nine seconds left. CAC was able to sink their free throws and the Aztecs’ final three-point try by sophomore guard Nene Villalobos fell short.

Two-time reigning ACCAC player of the week sophomore forward Tia Morrison led all scorers with 19 and pulled down 13 rebounds. Sophomore guard Abyee Maracigan added 16 points while sophomore guard Jessica Jones scored 13.

Pima gave Central Arizona a run for its money earlier in the season, also losing by three points.

Central, defending Division I national champions, and Pima are the top two teams in the conference.

In Division II, the Aztecs are the leader at 18-6. They currently hold a two-game lead over Scottsdale Community College with five games remaining in the regular season.

After steamrolling past Eastern Arizona College for a 102-36 win on Feb. 3, the Aztecs had a downfall at Scottsdale Feb. 6.

The Fighting Artichokes handily beat Pima, 69-52. Morrison scored 25 points and pulled in 17 rebounds.

“We were out of sync and we never got in a rhythm,” head coach Todd Holthaus said. “We just didn’t shoot well and Scottsdale played a great game and is hot right now.

All 12 players on the Aztec roster scored in the 66-point win over the Gila Monsters.

Morrison led all scorers with 25 points, and Jones chipped in with 13. Maracigan nearly earned a triple double in the game, registering 11 points, 10 rebounds and eight steals.

Pima next travels to Chandler-Gilbert Community College on Feb. 13, then plays at Glendale Community College on Feb. 17 before returning home to play Yavapai College at 2 p.m. on Feb. 20 at the West Campus Gym.

Online Extra: Softball Opening Day slideshow

By James Kelley

The Pima Community College softball team opened their 2010 campaign with a doubleheader sweep of Mesa Community College. The Aztecs beat the Thunderbirds 6-4 in the first game and then 10-0 in a game shortened by the mercy rule. Game two featured three PCC home runs, highlighted by a walk off round tripper by 4-foot-11 inch sophomore outfielder Danielle Bravo.

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