Orozco, Galicia Lead Warriors to Comeback Victory over Cerritos

TORRANCE, Calif. – El Camino College found itself in a big hole early but got great offensive support from sophomore Aaron Orozco and steady pitching the rest of the way to score a 10-5 South Coast Conference victory over visiting Cerritos Tuesday afternoon at Warrior Field.

Orozco went 3-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and four RBI while Jimmy Galicia went seven solid innings on the mound. Galicia surrendered four runs, three earned, on four hits in the second inning alone but put up zeroes in his other six innings of work, scattering the other four hits he gave up on the day. He finished with six strikeouts and one walk, earning his fourth victory of the season.

The second inning was a rough one for the Warriors (9-6, 3-1) as the Falcons (10-5, 3-1) sent nine batters to the plate. Three of Cerritos' four hits in the inning were seeing-eye singles, finding the holes in the infield to keep the inning rolling. Nick Martinez provided the only extra-base hit of the inning for the Falcons with a double down the left-field line that drove in two to open the scoring. An RBI through the left side by Nolan Brown made it 3-0 and then a defensive miscue at third base allowed another run to score for Cerritos, giving the visitors a 4-0 lead after the top of the second.

But the Falcons would not get another run across until the ninth inning despite getting at least one runner on base in every ensuing inning except the fourth, one of only two times they were retired in order on the day.

Meanwhile, the Warriors quickly chipped away at the deficit, scoring twice in their half of the second to make it a 4-2 Cerritos lead. Then, in the bottom of the third, Orozco provided the big hit with his third home run of the season over the scoreboard in right field, scoring three runs and giving ECC a 5-4 lead. They would never trail again.

Orozco added an RBI single in the third to make it 6-4 and the Warriors would add a run in the fourth, three in the fifth and on in the sixth to make it 10-4 and essentially put the game away.

Chris Villavicencio also went 3-for-5 for the Warriors with two runs scored while Julian Diaz and Diego Alarcon added two hits apiece. Joey Acosta pitched the final two innings in relief, allowing one run on two hits with two strikeouts.

The Warriors will go for the series win in game two of the three-game set with the Falcons on Thursday at Kincaid Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.