It was a pitchers duel for the first eight innings of the non-conference baseball game between Cerritos College and College of the Canyons at Kincaid Field on Thursday. Falcon sophomore Ryan Arambula (Bell Gardens HS) tossed the first seven inning and allowed just three hits, with freshman Jerald Johnston (California HS) throwing the eighth inning. But the Cougars got to Johnston in the ninth inning and scored twice to record a 2-0 decision. Cerritos (1-1) will host Citrus College at noon on Saturday.

In the top of the ninth inning, Johnston (0-1) struck out the first batter, but allowed a single and walk to the next two. After he struck out Roy Verdejo for the second out, freshman Gavin Callender (La Serna HS) came on and surrendered a two-run double to the ninth batter in the lineup, Colton Burns.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Falcons faced Jose Haros after starting pitcher Jesse Posey limited them to just three hits through the first eight innings. With two outs, sophomore first baseman Brett Thompson (Corona del Mar HS/Saddleback College) drew a walk, followed by a base hit from freshman catcher Gary James (Sunny Hills HS). Sophomore shortstop Daniel Lopez (Montebello HS) hit a hard liner to left field, but Cole Mears was able to make the catch for the final out.

Cerritos left James on third base in the bottom of the second inning, while they couldn't cash in on Thompson's base hit and stolen base with one out in the fourth inning. As for the Cougars (2-0), they loaded the bases on Arambula in the fifth inning with one out, but he worked out of the situation. He also stranded runners in scoring position in the sixth and seventh innings to keep the game scoreless.

Photos by Daryl Peterson