Toby Johnson scores on Hubbs homer.
Toby Johnson scores on Hubbs homer.

Big seventh! Big win for Vaq's.

No time to enjoy it.

The Vaqueros are right back at it for another huge matchup against South Mountain Community College on Saturday after a very big win Friday night. George Castillo threw another one, throwing a no-hit first five, and Sam Myers closed out South Mountain for a 5-2 win.

With the win, the standings remain a mess with four teams scrambling for the final three regional playoff spots. The first four Division I teams go, first place Cochise Community College is already a go. 

South Mountain tripled leading off the sixth and scored for a 1-0 lead, and in the top of the seventh, Tim Hergert did it again. After a short conversation with third base coach Greg Bordes and bases chocked, it's a shot to right center with one out to put Central up 2-1.

"I just told Timmy to relax and have fun. These guys get so amped sometimes."

Number two in the two hole with a full house again. What does that tell you about the bottom of the order? Two pitches later with two on, out she goes.

MJ Hubbs with a three-hammer to left in the seventh inning.

With a nice pitch to hit, you heard that sound again. Mj watched it for a second because he knew, and around came Toby Johnson and Aldo Koutsoyanopulos with the three run blast. The five runs put Central Arizona up 5-1 going into the bottom of the seventh.

In the bottom of the eighth with the score 5-2 with two on and nobody out, second baseman Cooper Esmay came up with the play of the day. A diving short-hop scoop to his right on a rocket grounder. From his knees, Esmay flipped to ss Josh Ethier who fired a pea to Caleb Henderson for the double play that relieved some and bummed out others.

What a play. Just when you needed it. You can put that one in the pot for the DB9 Play of the Year.

Myers found the groove and retired the last four batters. Castillo is now 8-2 with an ERA of 1.94. The Vaqueros have five games left including today's final regular season home game at the Big House, with doubleheaders at Eastern Arizona and Cochise Community College.


Blade can be reached at: bladestage@gmail.com