The Scottsdale Community College (SCC) Artichokes were back at home to open their series against the South Mountain Community College (SMCC) Cougars Tuesday.

The Artichokes were coming off a loss to the Glendale Community College Gauchos.

SCC (1-1) in their conference, faced a strong conference opponent in the Cougars.

SMCC (7-4) as well as the team’s offense has had a great start in Feb. scoring 17 runs in their three games in the month so far.

In the first inning, the Cougars did not waste any time to strike first—scoring five runs.

The right-hander Logan Spetz allowed the first five hitters to reach base; giving up two runs  before recording back-to-back strikeouts.

The Cougars had bases loaded with two outs, at the plate was SMCC catcher Ernesto “Ernie” Alvarez, who delivered a bases clearing double.

“It was good, I mean we’re all here to pick each other up, I saw a fastball on the outside half, and I had to do my job with it.” Alvarez told Northeast Valley News. “That’s one of the best feelings.  You look back out and everybody’s all cheering at you.”

SMCC was strong on the defensive side as well, as second baseman Bobby Pierce made a dazzling unassisted 6-3 double play to keep the five-run lead.

The Cougars were familiar with first inning leads, SMCC head coach Todd Eastin said, “Actually, we’ve scored in the first inning in almost every game we’ve played, our biggest problem is what do we do after that.”

Eastin said the team struggled to continue their hot starts into the second and third innings in many games.

The second and third innings remained quiet offensively for both teams, with the Artichokes having only one hit.

The SMCC starter, Denzel Montijo was exceptional on the mound, retiring eight batters in a row from the first to third innings.

“I was tunneling the pitches well, I was trusting my stuff, and my pitching coach Kevin (Soine).” Montijo said about his performance. “Trusting myself, him, and my defense works out great all the time.”

The second hit given up by Montijo was a solo shot to right field by Artichoke CF Dylan Frank.

But the deficit was still large at 7-1.

Spetz pitched four innings, allowing seven hits and seven runs, as the left-hander Zack Young entered in the fifth.

Young didn’t allow a hit in the two innings he pitched, but fielding errors led to another run for SMCC.

The fifth and sixth innings were battles for the Artichokes offensively working multiple walks, and getting guys on base.

SCC had the bases loaded at one point in the fifth and sixth inning but could not capitalize.

SCC head coach Ty Gavin said the team did a great job of taking advantage of the small strike zone—working 10 walks throughout the game.

Gavin told Northeast Valley News, “That’s kind of been the story of the last few games we’ve lost. Just kind of missing the big hit with guys on base.”

Although the Artichokes kept fighting each inning, the Cougars lead grew back, as the score was 9-4 after the seventh.

SCC continued to put guys on base in the eighth and ninth inning yet could not score.

SMCC won game one of the series 9-4.

Eastin still had his criticisms in the win, “Not an ideal game for us, had to use six pitchers in the first game of the series—it’ll be all hands-on deck tomorrow.”

The Artichokes will travel to SMCC for game two of the series.