Trailing 7-6 heading into the top of the ninth inning of their South Coast Conference game against ECC Compton Center, the Cerritos College baseball team scored seven runs to pull out a 13-7 victory. The win improved the Falcons to 7-9 overall and 2-2 in conference play and will host the Tartars at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday.

In the seven-run ninth inning, freshman outfielder Johnny Martinez (Katella HS) drew a one-out walk before freshman third baseman Hayden Stevens (Katella HS) singled and freshman designated hitter Jared Robinson (Bishop Amat HS) followed with a run-scoring base hit. After a fielder's choice accounted for the second out, freshman first baseman Michael Esparza (California HS) tripled in a pair of runs off losing pitcher Nick Sanchez (2-3). After a hit by pitch and walk loaded the bases, sophomore second baseman Tyler Acevedo (Sunny Hills HS/Irvine Valley College) drew a walk to force in a run. Freshman second baseman Joseph Rivera (Savanna HS) put the team ahead with a three-run single.

Sophomore relief pitcher Sebastian Frutos (Bellflower HS), who came on in relief of Robinson in the seventh inning, allowed a one-out walk, but set the Tartars down to improve his record to 4-0. Robinson surrendered five runs on 10 hits in his six innings of work.

Rivera led the way with a 3-for-5 day with three RBI, while Esparza was 2-for-3 with three RBI and the team's first home run of the season. Robinson and Martinez each drove in a pair of runs, while Acevedo scored three times.

Photo by Daryl Peterson