Walk-off win for T'Birds complete sweep of Bears

The wins keep piling up for the nation's #12 program.

In the first conference series of the season, Mesa took it to Phoenix College and Coach Kevin Kimball, 10-1 on Friday, February 17.  The T'Birds had to scratch and claw their way to victory at home on Saturday over the same Bears, this time in walk-off fashion, 6-5.

In Friday's game, four pitchers combined on a five-hitter as Michael Desabrais picked up the victory for the birds, going five strong, striking out five, and allowing just one unearned run on three hits. 

Nate Hutchins, Caleb Lefebvre, and Steven Matta all worked solid relief outings as Mesa dominated the afternoon. 

Michael Wesolowski reached base three times in six plate appearances, once by HBP, once by single, and another by RBI 2B. 

Kevin Carr reached base two times, once via RBI 2B, another via walk.  Carr also added a sacrifice fly RBI in the second inning. 

Mesa pulled away in the third inning, scoring four times to take a 7-0 lead, and all but end things early. 

Wesolowski started things off with a single.  TJ Bennett then singled "Weso" to second.  Next, Will Amador bunt-singled and both Bennett and Wesolowski scored on a throwing error from PC pitcher Alberto Blanco. 

Nick Johnson walked, Evan Hendricks flied out to third, Zach Nothwehr flew out first, then Chaz Contrerar ripped an RBI single to right, scoring Johnson.  Kevin Carr walked and Adam Sonabend flew out to right to finally end the inning. 

Mesa added two more in the 4th and cruised to victory. 

"We had some great team at-bats today," says Coach Cirelli post game. 

"We kicked some balls out there today, but Desabrais comes back out and throws a double-play grounder, and we go back and sit down," says Cirelli.

Mesa's only achilles heal on the afternoon seemed to be their situational hitting, as six runners were left stranded on third. 

In Saturday's contest, starter Brent Hendy didn't come out for the second inning after being roughed up in the first to the tune of three runs.  Spencer Long came in and worked some solid relief, keeping Mesa within striking distance. 

PC got out to a 4-0 lead in the second after a David Walker single. 

Mesa would finally get on the board in the fourth after a Steven Swingle hit scored Adam Sonabend. 

Mesa would inch even closer in the fifth after a balk by starter Dylan Tucker put Zach Nothwehr and Chaz Contrerar at second and third.  Adam Sonabend became the opportunist, driving both runners in for Mesa, making it 4-3 PC. 

PC added another in the sixth to move up 5-3. 

Nick Johnson launched one over the 375' sign in left-center to get it back to a one-run game for the birds. 

In the seventh, Kevin Carr would score after a single, on an 2B from TJ Bennett. 

The game would remain tied until the Mesa 9th, when Carr led off with another hit.  Reliever Joe Mesa showed some wildness, throwing two WP's and Mesa was in position to win in their home-half of the final inning.  After an IBB to Bennett, Steven Swingle ended things with a solid shot up the middle, and the Mesa dugout erupted. 

The 2012 T'Birds have yet to taste defeat and will be tested tomorrow as Thompson River visits for a non-conference game. 

Paradise Valley series begins on Tuesday, February 21, with the Mesa home contest the following day.  Both games begin at 3:00 p.m.