Mesa College Baseball lost 2-1 against the Mt. San Jacinto Eagles at the season opener Tuesday.

“(The game was) Well played by both teams. It’s nice to have two teams pitch so well so early in the season,” said Head Coach Kevin Hezlett.

Mesa and Mt. San Jacinto allowed six and five hits respectively.

“Maxwell threw well and Landeros came out of the bullpen strong,” Hezlett said.

Maxwell allowed just three hits in the first six innings and kept the Eagles scoreless.

Relief pitcher Thomas Landeros followed Maxwell’s lead, keeping the Eagles hitless for the next two innings.

Anthony Diaz scored Mesa’s sole run after a sacrifice hit by Justin Lawrence, giving Mesa the lead at the bottom of the fifth.

Pitcher Josh Maxwell walked two hitters to load the bases with one out in the tense sixth inning. A double play off of a ground ball bailed Maxwell out of trouble.

Matt Palmer of Mt. San Jacinto opened the ninth inning with a homerun off of Mesa’s late relief pitcher Allen Townsend. Townsend allowed two more hits in the last inning. Pinch-runner Chris Houston took the lead for the Eagles off a sacrifice fly.

Relief Pitcher Scott Simmons thwarted Mesa’s attempts to reclaim the lead late in the ninth.

“A lot of guys on offense had opening day jitters,” offered Hezlett.

Pinch-hitter for A.J Herrera, Kyle Ginter, walked to first before being tagged out. Jimmy Filter and Myles Dempsy both struck out ending the first game of the season.

“We’re only going up from here,” said catcher Dillon Haupt, and next time they meet San Jacinto, “we’re going to come back stronger than we did today; and, let them have it.”

Saturday’s game scheduled to be hosted At Mt. San Jacinto was rained out.