Defensive miscues accounted for all three runs allowed in a 3-1 loss by the Cerritos College baseball team in their home opener at Kincaid Field on Tuesday. The Falcons paid tribute to former head coach Wally Kincaid, who passed away last November prior to the game, allowed two runs in the top of the ninth inning, which led to the loss. The team will host Citrus College at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Cerritos (1-1) broke a scoreless tie when freshman second baseman Derrick Edwards (Mary Star of the Sea HS) led off with a walk. He was advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore first baseman Mike Heenan (JSerra HS). After freshman third baseman Kevin Sainz (Valley Christian HS) drew a walk, sophomore outfielder Mark Pena (Bell Gardens HS) laced a two-out base hit up the middle. Edwards came around third and was able to slide under the tag at the plate for the team's only run.

The Falcons had their chances to score, but ended up leaving nine runners on base. Freshman designated hitter Vincent Santana (Hacienda Heights Wilson HS) was thrown out at the plate when he tried to score from third base on a shallow fly ball to left field in the third inning. They loaded the bases again in the inning after sophomore catcher Gary James (Sunny Hills HS) drew a two-out walk. But sophomore outfielder Fermin Beza (California HS/William Jessup University) struck out to end the inning.

They also ended the fifth inning when Beza was throw out trying to steal second base, while Edwards was thrown out in the eighth inning trying to steal third base.

As for the Vaqueros (1-0), they tied the game in the sixth inning after a missed double play opportunity led to a two-base wild pitch. That was followed by a Sainz fielding error, which brought home a run. In the top of the ninth inning, freshman relief pitcher Carlos Hernandez (Pioneer HS) allowed a lead-off single to Jared Atkins.

Sophomore closer Jerald Johnston (California HS) came in in relief and uncorked a two-base failed pick-off attempt. Cristian Montes singled home Atkins to break the tie, while Montes moved to second on a passed ball and then scored on a sacrifice bunt attempt after a Daniel Lopez (Montebello HS) error kept the inning alive. Hernandez (0-1) took the loss.

The loss ruined the day of sophomore outfielder Kenton McDonald (Long Beach Poly HS), who reached base four times, while Pena extended his hitting streak to 14 games, dating back to last season.

Photos by Daryl Peterson