Through the first seven innings in their non-conference game against Golden West College at Kincaid Field on Wednesday, the Cerritos College baseball team trailed 1-0. However, in the top of the eighth inning, the Rustlers scored three times and the Falcons (6-3) went on to drop a 4-0 score. The team gets right back at it on Thursday when they host a 2:00 p.m. game against Fullerton College.

In that eighth inning, freshman starting pitcher Jacob Carter (Cerritos HS) recorded the first out. He allowed an infield single to Gianni Castillo, which was followed by a fielding error by sophomore shortstop Daniel Lopez (Montebello HS). On the play, Lopez charged the ball looking to turn a double play, but had the ball deflect off his glove, which allowed Castillo to advance to third and Michael Fuchs reach second base. The next batter, Cody Marshall, who also pitched a complete game shutout, doubled down the right field line, which brought home both runners.

Sophomore Travis Bonner (Cabrillo HS) came on in relief and allowed an RBI single to John Shattles, who drove in the first run of the game in the second inning.

Offensively, the Falcons only collected three singles off Marshall, with just two runners in scoring position. In the fifth inning, freshman second baseman Derrick Edwards (Mary Star of the Sea HS) reached base on a fielder's choice, followed by a walk to sophomore first baseman Mike Heenan (JSerra HS). But with two outs, freshman third baseman Kevin Sainz (Valley Christian HS) struck out to end the inning. In the ninth inning, Cerritos left sophomore catcher Gary James (Sunny Hills HS) stranded at third base after he was hit by a pitch and advanced on a pair of wild pitches.

As for Carter, he allowed four runs (three earned) and eight hits in 7 1/3 innings. Bonner tossed the final 1 2/3 innings and gave up one hit and walked a pair.

Sophomore outfielder Mark Pena (Bell Gardens HS) extended his hitting streak to 21 games (dating back to last season) with a one-out single up the middle in the sixth inning.