Sophomore starting pitcher Dylan Algra (Valley Christian HS) pitched seven innings and struck out eight batters to lead the Cerritos College baseball team to a 9-3 non-conference win over Cerro Coso College on Friday. The win by Algra improved his record to 2-0 on the year, while the Falcons are now 3-1 with all three wins coming at Kincaid Field. The team will travel to Oxnard College tomorrow for a 1:00 p.m. start.

After allowing a first inning home run to Kevin Maxey, Algra then allowed a pair of one-out singles in the third inning. But after picking off Zeke Johnson at second base, he went on to retire nine of the next 11 batters he faced.

The Falcon offense was providing Algra with plenty of run support with three in the bottom of the first inning and then scored single runs in the fourth and fifth inning. It was a four-run seventh inning that put the game out of reach.

The scoring started with sophomore outfielder Johnny Martinez (Katella HS) leading off with a base hit, while an error on a sacrifice bunt from freshman outfielder Kyle Carpenter (Mayfair HS) put two runners on base. After a ground out advanced both of the runners, freshman second baseman Victor Guadalupe (La Quinta HS) reached on the second fielding error of the inning by third baseman Ryan Villareal. Sophomore designated hitter Michael Esparza (California HS) then drove in a pair of runs with a single to left field.

Sophomore catcher Chris Carrillo (San Jose State University/St. Paul HS) singled, stole second and advanced to third on a base hit in the fourth inning before a ground out from sophomore first baseman Joseph Aguirre (Kennedy HS) brought him home. In the fifth, sophomore third baseman Hayden Stevens (Katella HS) laced a hard double off the wall that plated Martinez, who led off with a double.

The four-run seventh inning included an RBI single from Guadalupe, while a bases loaded walk to freshman shortstop Daniel Lopez (Montebello HS), followed by a wild pitch bringing in two of the runs. Freshman pinch-hitter Frank Vargas (El Rancho HS) added a run-scoring sacrifice fly.

On the day, Martinez led the way with three hits and three runs scored, while Stevens added a pair of hits. Guadalupe and Esparza each drove home a pair of runs.

Photos by Daryl Peterson