Looking for that spark to start the team's turnaround this season, it appeared as though the eight-run ninth inning was what the Cerritos College baseball team needed on Thursday. The Falcons, who took an 11-6 lead over host Santa Ana College, surrendered five runs in the bottom of the stanza and the game ended in an 11-11 draw. Cerritos will host Victor Valley at noon on Saturday.

Trailing 6-3 heading into the ninth inning, freshman Angel Alvarez (Arvada, CO HS) got things started with a lead-off triple and scored on a single from Luis Chavarin, Jr. (Sonora HS) for the first run. A single by sophomore Alex Bueno (Centennial, NV HS), along with a walk to Julian Francois (Serra HS) loaded the bases. Bilal Ali (Long Beach Millikan HS) followed with an RBI single to tie the game, while Andy Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS) drove in two with a single for an 8-6 lead. The hits kept coming with Sawyer Chesley (Laguna Beach HS) clubbing an RBI single, with a walk to Lucas Iorgulescu (Marina HS) loading the bases again.

A wild pitch plated another run, with Chavarin driving in the final two runs with a double.

Three outs away from a win, freshman closer Carter Stoddard (Sunny Hills HS) allowed a pair of hits and a walk to start the inning. The Dons scored twice before the second out was recorded. Before the Falcons could close out the game. Santa Ana pushed across three more runs to tie the game. It was decided the game would end in a tie due to darkness.

Chavarin led the team at the plate by going 3-for-5 with four RBI, while Ali had a pair of hits and drove in a run.