COD Baseball squeaks by the Arabs, 3-1

COD (9-20; 7-6) scored all three of their runs in the first two innings and with another fantastic performance by the Roadrunners pitching staff and defense, the home side was able to hold on against the Imperial Valley Arabs (2-28; 0-16), 3-1. 

Desert freshman right handed starting pitcher Robin Landazuri (Redlands H.S.) struck out nine Arabs on his way to a fourth win on the season and tossed seven and a third innings, surrendering a run, which was earned on six hits, walking none. 

Freshman right handed relief pitcher Quinton Bidon (Enumclaw, WA) closed out the game, with his grandmother in the stands, he threw an inning and two thirds of relief, only giving up a hit for his fifth save of the season.

The "Pineapple Express" was in full effect, as freshman short stop Allan Dong (Honolulu (HI) Kalani) went 2 for 2 with a run scored and two walks and sophomore catcher Travis Tanaka (Honolulu (HI) St. Louis) went 2 for 3 with a walk and two runs batted in.

Desert got things started in the bottom of the first as Dong led off the inning clobbering a hot shot to the Arabs third baseman who found the hit too difficult to handle. Freshman second baseman Jerred Soriano (Honolulu (HI) Moanalua) was then plunked on a hit-by-pitch and then Tanaka reached on a bunt single to load the bases with no outs. And after a fielder's choice knocked Dong out at home, sophomore right fielder Trenton Covel (Palm Desert Xavier Prep) was nailed in another hit-by-pitch in the inning, scoring Soriano and giving Desert an early 1-0 lead. 

The Roadrunners continued the hit parade in the bottom of the second as they plated two more runs. Freshman third baseman Nicholas Follett (Toronto (ON) Bishop Allen Academy) led off with a walk and freshman left fielder Austin Clifton (Romoland Heritage) punched a perfect sacrifice bunt to move Follett to second base. Dong was then hit-by-pitch, the third and final for the Arabs pitcher to put two runners on base with one out. Then Tanaka punished a double to center, clearing the bases as both Follett and Dong scored to give Desert a 3-0 lead.

Imperial Valley would add a run in the sixth and put two runners on with two outs in the top of the ninth, but the Desert defense just would not allow any more runs.

The Roadrunners continue this series at Imperial Valley on Thursday, April 6th returning home for the finale on Saturday, April 8th, with first pitch scheduled at 12 p.m.

Photo by Britney Vargas (COD Sports Information)
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.