The MSJC baseball team bounced back from a close loss at San Diego City last week, to open Inland Empire Athletic Conference play with an easy 18-2 win over San Bernardino Valley.

The Eagles, who saw their six game win streak ended by San Diego City 3-2 on February 22nd had to wait a full week to play again due to the recent rains, but when they got their chance the offense was ready as they banged out 18 hits in their IEAC opener to defeat SBVC 18-2.  It didn't take long as the Eagles struck for 3 runs in the bottom of the second on Thursday when Christian Smith drove in a run followed by a two run single by DJ Graham to get MSJC going.

After a single run by the Wolverines in the top of the third, the Eagle bats got right back to work scoring once in the third and five times in the bottom of the fourth.  Will Potter, Greg Luna, and  Garrett Teunissen each picked up an RBI, while Robert Jacobsen knocked in a pair to push the MSJC lead to 9-1 after just four innings.  Another single run by SBVC in the fifth was answered by two more big offensive innings by the Eagles as they scored 5 in the 5th and 4 in the 6th to put the game well out of reach.  MSJC's monster offensive day was capped off by a three run homer from Potter in the bottom of the 6th.

Nolan LaChappa improved his record on the mound to 3-0 this season for the Eagles as he went 5 innings allowing 2 runs on 4 hits, he struck out 2 and worked around 5 walks.  Pierce Sailer and Jack Siegel each pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

MSJC is now 11-2 overall on the season and 1-0 in IEAC play.  The Eagles will host Citrus on Saturday in a non-conference match up, before heading into 13 straight IEAC contests.  Saturday's home game with Citrus is set to begin at 1 pm.