Mesa Mtn. View BB salvages playoff spot in do-or-die finale

April 25, 2012 by Les Willsey, AZPreps365


A week ago Mesa Mountain View's baseball team was solidly in the mix for not only a playoff berth but a shot at a first-round bye in the Division I state baseball tournament. Losses to Red Mountain on April 19 and Marcos de Niza on Tuesday changed that.

Mountain View played Wednesday for its playoff life. Only a win would do. The Toros accomplished it behind twins Parker and Tyler Traasdahl in a 3-0 triumph over Skyline at Mountain View.

Parker Traasdahl did the bulk of the work, pitching six shutout innings. He allowed four hits, issued no walks and struck out four. Tyler Traasdahl capped the only real rally of the day in the first inning with a two-out hit that put Mountain View (19-9, 12-6 power-point games) in front, 2-0. Teammate Jacob Boehme drove in the first run with a two-out single. Tyler Traasdalh's hit was the last of four in the first inning that gave the Toros the ability to loosen a tight collar from two tough losses in the last week.

Mountain View added an unearned run in the sixth when Daniel Thomas scored on a passed ball. Parker Traasdahl left after six innings and turned the pitching chores over to Trent Oldroyd. Oldroyd yielded one base runner in the seventh, but clinched the win by striking out the side.

Mountain View entered the game ranked No. 25 in the rankiings, of which the top 24 qualify. Since most other teams had already finished the regular seasons, Mountain View was able to leap-frog several spots. The Toros rested at 20 immediatly after their win. They shouldn't rise or fall more than a spot or two when the few remaining results come in the rest of Wednesday and Thursday.