Baseball: Team unable to push runs across the plate in 5-2 setback

Los Angeles Harbor

Cerritos

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Los Angeles Harbor (8-17, 4-8)	0	1	2	0	1	0	1	0	0	5	8	2
Cerritos (7-13, 3-6)	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	4	2

File Photo: Julian Francois drew four walks and stole a pair of bases against LA Harbor

Posted: Mar 18, 2023

On seven occasions, the Cerritos College baseball team had runners in scoring position against visiting Los Angeles Harbor College on Saturday. Looking to complete the sweep against the Seahawks, the Falcons were only able to score twice in those situations and dropped a 5-2 South Coast Conference decision. Cerritos (7-13, 3-6) will get little rest, as they complete their rain-delayed series against Rio Hondo when they host the Roadrunners at 2:30 p.m. on Monday.

Sophomore shortstop Julian Francois (Serra HS), who drew four walks on the day, got things started in the first inning for the Falcons. After walking to start the inning, he nabbed his first of two stolen bases in the game. After an infield out advanced him to third base, Francois scored on a wild pitch to give the Falcons an early 1-0 lead.

LA Harbor responded with a tying run in the top of the second inning and then added two more off sophomore starting pitcher Steven Salazar, (Sonora HS) who took the loss. The final relief pitcher of the game for Cerritos, freshman Manny Lopez (Brea Olinda HS), tossed the final two innings and recorded three strikeouts.

The Falcons stranded the bases loaded in the fourth inning after a single by sophomore second baseman Andy Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS) and walks to freshman designated hitter Ryan Skjonsby (Long Beach Poly HS) and freshman outfielder Anthony Godfrey (Long Beach Millikan HS) loaded the bases. However, freshman first baseman Nate Gardenswartz (Long Beach Wilson HS) grounded out to end the inning. Francois got the offense started again in the fifth inning when he walked with one out, moved to second on a passed ball and then to third in a wild pitch. The Falcons had runners on first and third, as Vega walked with two outs, but the inning ended without any runs scoring.

Trailing 5-1, Cerritos scored their other run, which was aided by an error on a ball hit by sophomore outfielder Jason Givens (Santa Fe HS). The throw to first was offline and he advanced to second before coming home on a single from Skjonsby.