With a team batting average of .488 against City College, Mesa dominated early and from the beginning in their 19-8 win over City College.
After a seven run first inning, Mesa baseball had complete control of the game.
Starting pitcher Tyler Rathjen received the win allowing three earned runs and striking out two in four innings of work. The team’s ace has improved to 8-3 with a 3.66 earned run average.
“Tyler has thrown well all season, and after establishing a 17-3 lead, it was an easy day to get some guys work who have not been throwing quite as much,” said head coach Kevin Hazlett.
Starting in the fifth inning, Brian Ruthenberg, Justin Hukill, Alec Rios, Clayton Kabbes, and Sean Coughlin each threw one inning.
Leadoff man Zach Taylor started the game with a hit and he ended up scoring. Taylor had a great game going 4-7 with three runs batted in and a stolen base.
“Zach has been a nice leadoff hitter for us all season,” said Hazlett. Taylor is leading the team with 19 walks so far this season.
“Moving Ryan up to the third spot in the order has proven to be a good move on our part. He has been our leading hitter all season, and putting him in positions to get big hits during the game has paid off really well,” said Hazlett about leftfielder Ryan Lawson who continued his spectacular season going 3-4 with a triple and a walk to improve his batting average to .343.
Second baseman Hunter Landry was another player who had a great game. He went 3-4 with three runs batted in and a walk.
“It was also nice to see Kyle Harris get going yesterday,” said Hazlett. Harris, the centerfielder went 3-6 with four runs batted in, a double, and a triple.
Erik Tec was the starting pitcher for City College and he got pulled after retiring just four batters and allowing 11 runs, eight of which were earned runs.
Grossmont got ahead 2-0 in the first inning, but Mesa rebounded nicely took a 7-2 lead after the first.
“We have answered our opponents early in the game very well this season,” said Hazlett. “As far as scoring seven in the first, it was just one of those good baseball days where we kept hitting the ball well, and hit it where they were not able to catch it.”
It was a good win for Mesa who broke a seven game losing streak.