Baseball: Three-run ninth inning wins game for the Falcons

Falcons celebrate with Dean Ormonde, who drove in the game-winning run against Rio Hondo College
Falcons celebrate with Dean Ormonde, who drove in the game-winning run against Rio Hondo College

Sophomore outfielder Dean Ormonde (Long Beach Millikan HS) laced the first offering from Dominic Versluisinto centerfield, which brought home the winning run on Monday in a 6-5 win over Rio Hondo College at Kincaid Field. The win snapped an 11-game losing skid for the Falcons (9-25, 5-14), who travel to Compton College on Wednesday for another rain make-up game.

Trailing, 5-3 heading into the bottom of the ninth inning, freshman pinch-hitter Cruz Mata (Palos Verdes HS) got things started with a one-out walk. With two outs, sophomore outfielder Jason Givens (Santa Fe HS) singled to keep the inning alive. Freshman catcher Conner Sullivan (Palos Verdes HS), who had driven in a pair runs in two of the previous three games, drilled a two-run double to tie the game, 5-5. Sophomore shortstop Julian Francois (Serra HS) was intentionally walked, which set the table for Ormonde, who singled home Sullivan to the delight of his teammates.

Freshman Calix Armijo (Mary Star of the Sea HS) started the first game of his career on the mound and tossed five solid innings. He limited the Roadrunners (20-14, 13-5) to just one run on seven hits and struck out four batters. He worked out of jams in a couple of the innings, but left with the game tied, 1-1. Sophomore JJ Almeda (Warren HS) earned the win, as he tossed the final four innings and struck out six batters.

After scoring their first run on a balk, Cerritos took a brief lead in the sixth inning when Givens drove in freshman first baseman Ryan Skjonsby (Long Beach Poly HS), who led off the inning with a walk. The Falcons had a chance to score more than one run in the eighth inning, but left the bases loaded. Sophomore third baseman Carlos Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS/Los Angeles Harbor College) led off with a double and after a bunt single by Givens and a walk to Ormonde, the bases were loaded with two outs. Sophomore second baseman Andy Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS) brought home the lone run of the inning with a walk off Versluis, who was facing his first batter of the game.

Givens (3-for-5, RBI), Francois (2-for-5, walk) and Ormonde (2-for-4, RBI, two walks) all had multiple-hit games for Cerritos.

Photos by Daryl Peterson