SMCC Baseball Splits Doubleheader at Phoenix College

PHOENIX ---

The South Mountain Community College baseball team (7-3, 4-2 ACCAC) split an Arizona Community College Athletic Conference doubleheader at Phoenix College Saturday, winning game one 6-4 in seven innings before falling 13-3 in seven innings in game two. Freshman Mason Skaugrud hit a key two-run home run in the top of the sixth, and Trent Adams and Shawn Triplett put together strong performances in relief to help the Cougars win the opening game. Game two saw Holden Breeze and Justin Quinn hit home runs, but the Bears scored early and broke the game open with a six-run sixth inning. 

Game One

The Cougars scored three times in the top of the sixth, including Skaugrud's home run, to break a 3-3 deadlock and Triplett slammed the door on a Bears' rally to give SMCC the win. 

McKay Barney led off the sixth with a walk and then stole second, his fifth steal of the season. He came around to score on an RBI single from Andrew Lucas, who then walked home on Skaugrud's blast. 

That was enough for Triplett, who earned the save with 1.1 of hitless relief work with a strikeout. Trent Adams (3-0) earned his third win of the year with 1.2 innings of relief and two strikeouts.

Alec Stanfield started the game for SMCC, recording four strikeouts in 2.1 innings of work. TJ Czyz tossed 1.2 innings of relief as well.  

After the Bears scored a run in the first, the Cougars responded with three in the fifth. Quinn hit a bases-clearing double with two outs to score Griffen Chewning, Esteban Hernandez and Paul Sachen. 

However, the Bears would promptly tie the game in their half of the frame. 

Game Two

The Bears scored three runs in the first and led 6-3 after four before a six-run sixth inning put the game away for good. 

Breeze hit his first home run of the season in the top of the third and Quinn smashed his solo shot in the top of the seventh. The third run of the game for SMCC came from Brice Martinez, who scored on an RBI by Sachen. Martinez finished a perfect 3-for-3 at the plate with two doubles and a stolen base. 

Matt Bohnert (0-2) started the game for the Cougars and had two strikeouts in 3.0 innings. Trey Goodrich, Derek Decolati and Ronan Kopp all saw time in relief. 

The Cougars remain on the road for the next two games, a doubleheader at Paradise Valley Community College on Tuesday, Mar. 9. Game one starts at noon.