Baseball: Return to action results in 6-4 conference loss

File Photo: Nico Briones had a multiple-hit game against Rio Hondo
File Photo: Nico Briones had a multiple-hit game against Rio Hondo

It's been 10 days since the Cerritos College baseball team played a game. The Falcons, who resumed South Coast Conference play on Thursday, dropped a 6-4 decision to host Rio Hondo College. The two teams will meet up again on Thursday at noon in Whittier in the second game of their series.

The Falcons (5-8, 1-1) were able to tie the game at 4-4 after a pair of runs in the top of the seventh inning. It started with sophomore second baseman Andy Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS) leading off with a single, while freshman outfielder Nico Briones (Long Beach Millikan HS) reached base on an error. With two outs, sophomore third baseman Carlos Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS/Los Angeles Harbor College) walked, which was followed by sophomore catcher Daniel Castellanos (Gahr HS) and freshman outfielder Miles Hughes (Carson HS) each drawing bases loaded walks, which brought home both runs.

Rio Hondo was able to respond with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning off sophomore relief pitcher Steven Salazar (Sonora HS). An error led to one of the runs being unearned.

Cerritos never led in the game, with Briones going 2-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored and a solo home run. Castellanos drew three walks and scored another run, with five other players slapping out one hit.