Puma Baseball opened up the 2024 season with an 8-2 record and have continued their hot streak in conference play. After their conference opener against Mesa CC was postponed due to rain, the Pumas opened up their conference schedule against GateWay CC.
Tuesday, February 13: PVCC 9, GWCC 5
The Pumas were victorious against GateWay 9-5 in their conference opener. The Pumas got on the board in the top of the second inning after Erick Dessens tripled, and Cooper Holtorf doubled, each scoring one run.
Cayden Collins earned the win for the Pumas. The right-hander surrendered five hits and five runs (two earned) over six innings, striking out three and walking two. Joe Hanning and Luis Ozuna each came on in relief and shut down the Geckos.
The Pumas amassed 12 hits in the game. Jackson Babione went 3-4 at the plate to lead the team in hits. Logan Yule drove the middle of the lineup, leading the Pumas with three RBI's, going 2-5 on the day. Josh Chairez and Dessens each collected multiple hits. Defensively, the Pumas turned two double plays.
Wednesday, February 14: PVCC 8, GWCC 5
The Pumas were triumphant over GateWay in the second game of the two-game series.
After the Geckos got on the board first in the second inning, Jackson Babione homered to right field on the eighth pitch of the at-bat, tying the game at one in the bottom of the third.
The Geckos took the lead scoring two runs in the fifth and sixth innings, but the Pumas flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the seventh, scoring five runs on one hit to take a 6-3 lead. The biggest blow of the inning was a double by Alex Sanchez that drove in three.
John Witt earned the win for the Pumas. The righty gave up one hit and two runs (one earned) over one and one-third innings, striking out three and walking none. Cole Dickson started the game for the Pumas. The right-hander surrendered five hits and three runs over five and two-thirds innings, striking out five and walking two. Quinn Lorgeree threw one and one-third innings of zero-run ball for the Pumas in relief. The southpaw allowed one hit, striking out none and walking none.
Sanchez seized on his opportunities, leading the Pumas with three runs batted in for the number nine spot of the lineup. The infielder went 1-4 on the day. Jake Alwine, Juan Carlos Kalemera, Babione, Sanchez, Logan Yule, and Erick Dessens each collected one hit. Andrew Armas paced the Pumas with two walks. Overall the team had patience at the plate, tallying eight walks for the game. The Pumas had four stolen bases, with Dessens stealing two.
The Pumas travel to Scottsdale on Friday, February 16 for their next game.
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