The Scottsdale Community College baseball team entered the final weekend of the regular season needing a sweep of Mesa to earn an NJCAA Region I playoff spot.

The Artichokes took care of business on Friday at SCC, defeating the Thunderbirds 8-5. The stage then moved to Mesa for the final game of the regular season on Saturday. Scottsdale was held to only one run on eight hits in a 5-1 defeat.

The loss completes the SCC season at 27-25 overall and 17-21 in conference. The Artichokes final conference mark left them in a tie for fourth place, but Gateway CC claimed the fourth and final playoff spot by virtue of winning three of the four regular season meeting with SCC.

**The photo insert is of the departing Artichoke student-athletes prior to Friday's contest.