MESA, ARIZ. - One day after playing 15 innings against Scottsdale Community College and combining to score a total of two runs, Madison College and Mesa Community College combined for 16 runs in a single nine-inning game on Sunday. The matchup of nationally-ranked programs saw the #11 Thunderbirds earn a 12-4 decision over the #15 WolfPack, who have now lost four straight games after a 2-0 start. The loss drops the 'Pack to 1-4 all-time against Mesa Community College.

The WolfPack started fast with back-to-back singles by Adam LaRock and Cam Cratic, followed by a two-RBI double to center off the bat of Nick Gile. Unfortunately, the lead was short-lived as the T-birds got to freshman starter Taylor Jansen in the bottom half. Two hits and five walks led to four runs and a short outing for Jansen, who was relieved by Carl Renz to finish the first inning. Mesa added two more runs in the second to take a 6-2 lead. In the fifth inning, the 'Pack narrowed the gap to 6-4 thanks again to a series of singles leading up to another two-run base hit from Gile. Mesa Community College (22-8) again had an answer, plating a single run in the home half of the fifth and putting the game out of reach with a five-spot in the sixth.

Gile, a sophomore from Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, led the offensive charge with a 3 for 4 effort that produced four RBI and set season-high's in both categories. LaRock and Cratic each finished with two hits, with LaRock scoring two runs and Cratic one. 

Madison College used seven pitchers in the game, with Jansen (1-1) taking his first loss of the season. The former Sun Prairie Cardinal allowed four earned runs in his two-thirds of an inning. Renz, a native of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, tossed three and one-third innings, giving up two runs on two hits, five walks, and three strikeouts. Trentin Uttech, Andy Neu, Jake Smith, Jackson Brown, and Connor Jasurda all saw action, with none going more than an inning. 

Up Next:

Madison College (2-4) will take a much deserved off day on Monday before returning to the field on Tuesday for a pair of games in Tucson, Arizona. The WolfPack will play Region IV foe Morton College (2-3) at 2:00 p.m. CT/12:00 p.m. PT, followed by a 5:00 p.m. CT/3:00 p.m. PT contest with Western Oklahoma State College (19-5). The 'Pack is 14-5 all-time with six straight wins against the Panthers, while the #6 Pioneers boast a 3-1 mark in four head-to-head matchups that all came at the NJCAA Division II World Series. Both games will be played at the Kino Sports Complex.

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