It didn't take long for sophomore outfielder Mark Pena (Bell Gardens HS) to put his name in the Cerritos College baseball record book. Entering into the game, Pena was tied for the school record for the longest hitting streak and when he laced the second offering from Los Angeles Mission College pitcher Anthony Donatella up the middle, he set a new school record with a 24-game hitting streak. He broke the record set by Jerry Pena (no relation), who had a 23-game hitting streak in 2008.

However, that would be the highlight of the day, as the Falcons (7-4) dropped a 4-1 decision to the Eagles (5-8). It was the third straight loss at home for Cerritos, who will get the rest of the week off before starting South Coast Conference play. They will host ECC Compton Center at 2:00 p.m. next Tuesday.

In that first inning, after Pena's single, he was cut down at second base on a fielder's choice by sophomore first baseman Mike Heenan (JSerra HS). After Heenan stole second base, he came home on a two-out single by sophomore outfielder Fermin Beza (California HS/William Jessup University). The Falcons left runners on second and third in that inning, as well as in the second inning after freshman designated hitter Emiliano Estrada (Long Beach Poly HS) singled, followed by a double from freshman third baseman Eric Hefner (El Dorado HS).

Freshman starting pitcher Jacob Carter (Cerritos HS) was pitching well for the first three innings against LA Mission and then had to work out of a bases loaded situation in the fourth inning. But, in the fifth inning, a leadoff double and then single was followed by a three-run home run from Willie De La Barcena. That chased Carter (1-2), who was replaced by sophomores Jonathan Marriott (La Quinta HS) and then Jerald Johnston (California HS).

The Falcons had several more scoring chances, but were thwarted when they hit into inning-ending doubles plays in the sixth and eighth innings.

Photos by Daryl Peterson