Richards & MacDonald Shine Bright in PCC’s Doubleheader Sweep Over Idaho

The Pima Community College Aztecs baseball team improved to 3-0 after a successful doubleheader against the College of Southern Idaho on Saturday at the West Campus Aztec Baseball Field.

Sophomore Caden Richards emerged as a standout player, going 3 for 5 with three RBIs and scoring three runs throughout the day. Freshmen pitchers Diego Garcia and Luis Pablo Navarro contributed significant performances on the mound.

In the first game, the Aztecs triumphed 5-3 in a tightly contested seven-inning matchup. The Golden Eagles struck first, scoring two runs in the first inning. They extended their lead to 3-0 in the seventh before the Aztecs responded explosively. Freshman Jackson Glueck led off with a double, and Matt MacDonald walked, setting the stage for freshman Zach Plasschaert to hit a game-tying home run.

With one out in the seventh, Andrew Grenert reached base before a caught stealing. Freshman Sean Barta drew a walk, allowing Richards to hit a walk-off homer, securing the win. The Aztecs managed only two hits and one walk until their seventh-inning surge.

Richards finished the game with a 1-for-2 batting performance, including two RBIs. Plasschaert’s strong showing at 2 for 3 contributed three RBIs, while Glueck added a run in the effort. Garcia earned the win in relief, pitching over three innings, allowing one earned run, with five strikeouts.

In the second game, the Aztecs dominated, winning 13-3 in five innings. The offensive frenzy began in the first inning, with Richards driving in a run and Nolan Ganter hitting a two-run homer, putting Pima ahead 3-0 early on.

The Golden Eagles narrowed the gap with two runs in the third, but Pima responded with a flurry of runs, thanks in part to a sacrifice fly from Barta and a series of RBIs from Ganter and MacDonald, extending their lead to 10-3. Barta also contributed with a two-run homer in the fourth.

Ganter excelled, going 2 for 2 with three RBIs and four runs scored. Barta followed closely, also finishing 2 for 3 with four RBIs. MacDonald and Glueck each provided strong performances at the plate, helping to secure the victory. Navarro, the starting pitcher, earned the win after three innings of solid work, allowing two earned runs and striking out six batters.

The Aztecs will conclude their four-game series against the Golden Eagles on Sunday at noon at the West Campus Aztec Field.