DOUGLAS — The Cochise College baseball team split its doubleheader against Eastern Arizona on Saturday in the Apaches’ conference opener, winning game one 11-1 and falling in the second game 8-4.
Six runs in the first three innings of game one helped Cochise put the game away early. Nate Stepna was 4 for 4 at the plate, all extra-base hits, with two RBIs and three runs scored. Adam De La Cruz was 3 for 4 with two runs scored and Darick Hall was 2 for 4 with three RBIs. Hall also earned the win on the mound, going six innings and allowing one run on four hits, walking two and striking out seven.
In game two, the teams were tied 1-1 until the Gila Monsters pulled away with two in the fifth, two more in the seventh and three in the ninth before the Apaches tried to rally in their last at-bat but managed only three more runs.
Cochise is 8-4 overall heading into Tuesday’s noon doubleheader against Yavapai. Admission is free to all regular-season home games.