With the rain wreaking havoc on the Cerritos College three-game series against Golden West College, the two teams were able to play on Sunday. For the second time, the Rustlers were able to push enough runs across the plate and posted a 7-2 decision. They will conclude their series at 2:00 p.m. on Monday in Huntington Beach.

Golden West (3-4) scored in the top of the first inning, but the Falcons (2-4) were able to tie the game with a run in the bottom of the second inning. Freshman outfielder Rolando Nichols (Serra HS) led off with a base hit, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from freshman first baseman Jesus Mercado (St. John Bosco HS). Nichols advanced to third base on a wild pitch and scored on an infield single by freshman third baseman Jorge Rodriguez (Bellflower HS).

Freshman starting pitcher Edgar Velasquez (Montebello HS) lasted into the sixth inning after surrendering single runs in the first, third and fourth innings. In four of the six innings he started, Golden West got their leadoff batter on base, including consecutive singles to start the sixth inning, which prompted the entry of freshman relief pitcher Jakob Johnston (California HS). After a double play got the first two outs, Chris Rodriguez singled into center field for the Rustlers fourth run of the game.

The Falcons got to within 4-2 when they countered with a single run in the bottom of the sixth inning. Sophomore Kevin Sainz (Valley Christian HS) was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt by freshman shortstop Ramon Bramasco (Cathedral HS). Sophomore second baseman Derrick Edwards (Mary Star of the Sea HS), who hit a two-run home run in the first game of the series, followed with an RBI double.

On the day, Cerritos had just four hits, while Golden West collected 15 hits. They broke the game open with three runs in the top of the eighth inning, including five consecutive singles off Johnton before freshman Carlos Valle (Bell Gardens HS) forced in the third run of the stanza with a bases loaded walk. Valle then retired the next five batters to finish off the game.

Photos by Daryl Peterson