Trailing 4-1 heading into the ninth inning, the Cerritos College baseball team was able to pull within a run, but came up short in a 4-3 non-conference game at College of the Canyons on Wednesday. The Falcons (6-2), who defeated the Cougars (6-4) in their suspended game, 6-5, prior to the start of Wednesday's game, drew within a run, thanks to a two-run home run from sophomore outfielder Nick Penzetta (Kamehameha, HI HS).
After the two-run shot, Cerritos wasn't able to start up another rally and suffered the one-run loss. Freshman pinch-hitter Alex Gonzalez (La Mirada HS) was hit by a pitch to start off the inning, with Penzetta following with his two-run home run.
The Cougars took a quick 2-0 lead against sophomore starting pitcher Vincent Fuentes (El Rancho HS) with single runs in the first and second inning. The Falcons cut the deficit in half in the third when Penzetta led off with a single and stole second base. He moved to third base on an infield out and scored on a base hit from sophomore shortstop Ramon Bramasco (Cathedral HS). On the day, Cerritos left runners in scoring position in five different innings.
Freshman catcher Andre Alvarez (Walnut HS) led off the sixth inning with a base hit and stole second base. They had runners on first and second base after sophomore outfielder Rollie Nichols (Serra HS) walked, but both were stranded. They threatened again in the eighth inning when sophomore second baseman Jesus Mercado (St. John Bosco HS) and Nichols singled with two outs. However, freshman first baseman Michael Gonzalez (St. Bernard HS) popped up for the final out.
Fuentes (0-1) allowed four runs on eight hits through six innings, while freshman Brian Kossler (Mayfair HS) coming in to toss the final two innings and struck out two.