The Mt. SAC baseball team bounced back from a three-game-skid by winning its two-game series against rival Cerritos College last week 8-3 and 5-2.
Mt. SAC lost 4-5 to Compton College two weeks ago and then were on the short end of a season sweep by El Camino College 3-16 and 0-5. They also lost to the Warriors earlier this season 1-9 to open South Coast Conference play.
The Mounties (11-11, 7-4 SCC) bounced back Tuesday as they defeated the visiting Falcons 8-3. Mike Newell led the way for the Mounties, going 3 for 4 and scoring two runs. Jake Bailey went 3-for-5, driving in two runs.
“Against Compton, we were not able to take advantage of our chances (with men on base),” Mounties head coach Stacy Parker said. “Against El Camino, we didn’t hit the ball at all.”
It looked like the Mounties had something going, batting around in the first inning, and scoring four runs to take an early 4-0 lead. Newell singled to open the inning, and later scored the first of his two runs on a Taylor Jimenez double. Bailey would then single in the first of his two RBIs, scoring Jericho Kelsey.
Cerritos (8-14, 4-7) would answer in the next inning when Tim Soonthorngarun would single to open the inning. He would later score on a Randy Garcia double to close the gap to 4-2. The Falcons would score once more in the eighth, but the outcome has already been decided.
Losing Pitcher Nick Quezada (2-4) would settle down, keeping the Mounties scoreless until the sixth inning. Mt.SAC would score twice more, to end Quezada’s day. Tucker Woods would then relieve Quezada, but would not fare any better, giving up two more runs in the seventh inning to seal the victory for the Mounties.
Quezada would finish giving up six runs (all earned) on 13 hits, with six walks and three strikeouts and five wild pitches.
Like his counterpart, winning pitcher Nico Calderaro (1-2) would settle down and keep the Falcons scoreless until the eighth inning. He gave up one run on five hits, striking out nine and giving up one walk.
“We lost two games to El Camino,” Parker said. “However, they also lost some games during the early portion of conference play. We control what we do. If we can take care of business we will have a chance [in the playoffs].”
The Mounties “took care of business” Thursday, defeating the host Falcons 5-2.
Once again Newell carried the hot bat, going 2-for-4, driving in two runs. Bailey also went 2 of 4, driving in two and scoring one. JC Torres went 2-for-5, scoring two runs.
After a quiet first inning, Mt. SAC would make some noise in the second, rallying to take a 1-0 lead. Jimenez and Kelsey will each single. Jimenez will be erased later at third base, but Kelsey will score on the first of Bailey’s two RBI’s. They would then break the game open, scoring three times to take a 3-0 lead.
Cerritos would answer in the bottom of the inning to close the gap to 3-1. Randy Garcia would single and later score, as he was able to beat the throw to the plate. Cerritos would score once more in the ninth, but Mt. SAC had already sealed the victory.
Except for the first inning where he retired the Mounties in order, losing pitcher Chris Villalobos (5-3) struggled all game, giving up all five runs – four of which were earned – in five and a third innings.
Villalobos gave up nine hits, a walk, and had four strikeouts. His defense didn’t help him either, committing two errors in the sixth inning, resulting in an unearned run when JC Cordero scored on a wild pitch.
Cerritos not only lost the game, but also head coach Jack Brooks in the fifth inning when he argued a close play at first base, where Nate Bridges was called safe.
Mt. SAC took a break from SCC play Friday, and fell to visiting Riverside Community College 4-9. They will continue non-conference play as they will take on the Citrus Owls for two games this week, beginning today at 2:30 p.m. at Manzmanian Field.
Henry Montemayor
Staff Writer
Loading...
