Heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, the Cerritos College baseball team was looking for their second straight one-run win. Tied 1-1 with visiting Santa Ana College on Friday, sophomore second baseman Derrick Edwards (Mary Star  of the Sea HS) led off with a triple, but was stranded, and the Falcons (5-9) went on to drop a 2-1 score in 10 innings. The two teams will meet up next Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. in Santa Ana.

In the top of the 10th inning, freshman relief pitcher Joe Pacheco (Redlands East Valley HS), entering his fifth inning of work, allowed a one-out walk to Ivan Ramos. In came freshman Micah Hee (Kamehameha, HI HS) to try and get out of the inning. Hee was pre-occupied with Ramos at first base, and on his second pick-off attempt, his throw was wild, allowing Ramos to advance to third base. He came home on a sacrifice bunt by Erick Leef, for what turned out to be the winning run.

Needing a run to keep the game going, Hee singled with two outs, but was stranded when freshman outfielder Nick Penzetta (Kamehameha, HI HS) struck out to end the game.

The Falcons trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the seventh inning and was able to tie the game, thanks to two Dons (10-2) errors. Freshman outfielder Rolando Nichols (Serra HS) reached base on a fielding error by Santa Ana shortstop Derek Reilly. After a failed pickoff attempt by catcher Bobby Vasquez allowed Nichols to advance to third base, he came home on a base hit to left field by freshman third baseman Jorge Rodriguez (Bellflower HS).

Sophomore starting pitcher Erick Velasquez (Bell Gardens HS/ECC Compton Center) pitched five innings and allowed one run on four hits and struck out three batters. Pacheco (0-1), who pitched 4 1/3 innings, gave up just two hits in his appearance.

Photos by Daryl Peterson