Zach Mexicano went the distance on Saturday, pitching a nine-inning complete game and earning his first win of the season and the first of the year for the Urban Knights. Mexicano's line didn't jump out, striking out two and scattering seven hits, but the he was constantly sending the Grand Canyon batters back to the dugout frustrated with the possible go-ahead runs on base to preserve the 3-2 victory.
Mexicano is leading the team in innings pitched (39.1), is ahead of the rest of the starting rotation in ERA (5.49), and is also leading the team in strikeouts (23). With his win on Saturday, he became the all-time wins leader in ART U history, breaking out of a tie for first with Darnell Quinney. Earlier this year, he also surpassed Quinney in strikeouts, and now has 113 punchouts to his name. The senior has the most starts and most appearances in team history, and has by far the most complete games (8).
"He threw 107 pitches, and he had command of everything, and kept his composure," said head coach Brian Guinn. "He showed some senior leadership out there on the mound. He wasn't tired, and we had no doubts about sending him out there for the ninth inning."