Baseball: Missed chances hurt Falcons in loss

File Photo: Isaac Vega drove in both runs against Rio Hondo
File Photo: Isaac Vega drove in both runs against Rio Hondo

Missing out on several chances to add to their run production, the Cerritos College baseball team dropped a 4-2 South Coast Conference decision against host Rio Hondo College on Saturday. The Falcons (5-9, 1-2) will have a busy couple weeks coming up, as they try to make up games that were rained out last week. In addition to their three-game series with Pasadena City coming up, Cerritos will also play one of those make-up games against Mt. San Antonio College. They start the week on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. when they host the Lancers.

Down 1-0 after the first inning, the Falcons were able to tie the game with a single run in the top of the second inning. Sophomore first baseman Daniel Mariscal (Long Beach Poly HS) led off with a single and advanced to second base on a single from freshman outfielder Nico Briones (Long Beach Millikan HS). The two runners were advanced on a sacrifice bunt from sophomore third baseman Carlos Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS/Los Angeles Harbor College) before freshman shortstop Isaac Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS) drove in the team's first run with a sacrifice fly. They left a runner on third base when the inning ended.

Freshman starting pitcher Cade Sonoqui (Long Beach Millikan HS) who had limited the Roadrunners (9-8, 3-2) to one unearned run and two hits through the first three innings, surrendered hits to the first four batters in the fourth inning, which included a two-run double. Sonoqui (1-1) was removed after the fourth inning. The trio of Boom Ward (Gahr HS), Rigo Gutierrez (Gahr HS) and Timothy Fife (Long Beach Poly HS/Long Beach City College) combined to allow one run on three hits over the final four innings.

The Falcons drew to within a run in the sixth inning after sophomore designated hitter Andy Vega (Mary Star of the Sea HS) led off with a single and after Mariscal and Briones were hit by pitches, the bases were loaded. After a fly out, Isaac Vega plated the second run on a fielder's choice, while the team once again left a runner at third base. On the day, Cerritos left eight runners on base with five of them in scoring position.