MESA, Ariz. – The College of Idaho Yotes brought the heat in today's doubleheader against Park-Gilbert (AZ), securing two dominant victories with a blend of early offensive explosions, clutch hitting, and solid pitching performances. Both games followed a familiar script—jumping to early leads, holding off Park-Gilbert rallies, and sealing the wins with late insurance runs. The Yotes flexed their offensive muscle, putting up a combined 23 runs across both contests while showcasing their depth and resilience at the plate.
Game 1: Yotes Set the Tone Early in 10-4 Victory
The Yotes wasted no time in game one, storming ahead with a five-run first inning. A three-run double from Pete Bacon was the highlight of the opening frame, setting the tone for the rest of the contest. Despite Park-Gilbert responding with two runs in the bottom half of the inning, College of Idaho maintained control, adding two more runs in the third inning to extend the lead.
Trevor Watkins provided a crucial spark, launching two home runs—one in the fifth and another in the eighth—to ensure the Yotes' offensive dominance. Meanwhile, the pitching staff held firm, with three Yote hurlers combining for 11 strikeouts. The brotherly trio of Dawson Cummins, Jakob Cummins, and Jackson Cummins stifled the Buccaneers' lineup, limiting them to just four runs on seven hits. The 10-4 final score cemented an emphatic victory.
Game 2: A Power Display Fuels 13-8 Win
If game one of the day was about steady dominance, game two was a fireworks display. The Yotes came out swinging once again, hammering home six runs in the first two innings, thanks to a towering three-run home run from Caden Casagrande and a clutch two-run double from Cannon Morgan. The offense continued to pile on, extending the lead to 11-1 by the fifth inning.
Park-Gilbert fought back with late-game rallies, narrowing the deficit to 11-5 in the seventh and then pushing across three more in the final two innings. However, the Yotes kept their foot on the gas, adding crucial insurance runs with Austin Moon's two-run single in the eighth. On the mound, Jacob Lewis earned the win with a strong three-inning relief effort, while Kaden Lapp closed the door in the ninth despite a solo home run from the Buccaneers.
Final Game of the Series Set for Tomorrow
With two commanding wins in the books, the Yotes will look to complete the four-game series against Park-Gilbert tomorrow morning. First pitch is scheduled for 10 a.m.
