The Pima media relations department contributed to this report:
The Pima Community College baseball team (23-11, 11-8 in ACCAC) earned a shutout victory — behind a one-hit performance behind former Sunnyside right-hander Adam Moraga — but couldn’t hang on in the second game on Tuesday at Glendale Community College (13-23, 7-12).
Sophomore Phillip Sikes hit two home runs on the day as he finished 4 for 9 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Freshman Karl Koerper had a good day with some timely hitting as he went 2 for 7 with three RBIs and a run scored.
In the first game, won by Pima 8-0, Moraga, a sophomore who is 5-2 with a 3.83 ERA, had four strikeouts and two walks on 91 pitches. He gave up the only Glendale hit to lead off the fifth inning. Moraga is the son of former Arizona player Omar Moraga, who is an assistant coach at Sunnyside.
Adam Moraga pitched a one-hit shutout in Pima’s win over Glendale in a first game of a doubleheader Tuesday (Pima photo)
Moraga tweeted that he dedicated the performance to his mom, who celebrated her birthday on Tuesday. He has increasingly been on the radar of pro scouts recently at Pima games.
For my mom’s Bday Love you momma ❤️ https://t.co/GvEM6nw4ij
— $mad85 ➗ (@shmad3000) March 26, 2019
Sikes got things going in the first inning with an RBI double that scored freshman Cole Cummings. Sophomore Rafael Padilla (Nogales grad) followed with an RBI single to plate freshman Angel Ochoa (CDO). Sikes scored on a fielder’s choice hit from sophomore Enrique Porchas as the Aztecs took a 3-0 lead after the first inning.
The Aztecs tacked on another three runs in the fourth inning. Sophomore Fabian Ferreira (Tucson High) hit a leadoff single and later scored on an error. Cummings knocked in sophomore Jacob Jacome to make it 5-0 and later scored on a groundout by Padilla.
Sikes and Koerper added insurance runs with solo home runs in the sixth and seventh innings, respectively.
#23 A. Moraga (@shmad3000) dominates in the 7th to shutout the Gauchos throwing a complete game, allowing 0 runs. Outstanding performance by our RHP Aztec! #CarvingEmUp #PimaEat 8-0 Aztecs win!
— Pima Baseball (@BaseballPima) March 26, 2019
Sikes finished 3 for 4 with two RBIs and two runs. Cummings went 2 for 4 with an RBI and two runs. Koerper was 1 for 3 with an RBI and a run.
In the second game, won by Glendale 7-6 in 10 innings, the Aztecs surrendered three straight singles in the 10th inning as the Gauchos scored four unanswered runs in the final four innings.
Down 3-2, the Aztecs scored four runs in the fifth inning. Sikes hit a two-run home run with two outs to score Ferreira as the Aztecs retook the lead at 4-3. Padilla walked and Porchas hit a single which was followed by Koerper’s two-run double to make it 6-3.
Adam Moraga while at Sunnyside (Andy Morales/AllSportsTucson.com)
Padilla hit an RBI single to put the Aztecs on the board in the first inning. Sophomore Richard Ware made it 2-0 with an RBI single in the second.
Sikes went 1 for 5 with two RBIs and a run while Koerper finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs. Padilla was 2 for 4 with an RBI and a run. Porchas went 2 for 5 with a run and Ferreira was 2 for 3 with a run.
Sophomore Hayden Udall took the loss (6-3) as he pitched one inning giving up one run (earned) on four hits with one strikeout. Sophomore Conner Nantkes started the game and pitched six innings giving up three runs (two earned) on eight hits with three strikeouts and four walks.
The Aztecs will play a non-conference doubleheader on Thursday against Langley Blaze Prep (BC) at the West Campus Aztec Baseball Field. First pitch is at noon.
Recommended for you
