COD Baseball builds early lead, but can’t hold on against the Dons, falls 11-6

COD (3-11) opened up an early 4-0 lead by the end of the third inning, but a nine run inning by the Santa Ana Dons (7-5) headlined by a 3-run home run and a grand slam in the fifth, downed the Roadrunners, 11-6.

Desert got onto the board in the bottom of the first as freshman left fielder, and leadoff hitter, Joshua Hernandez (Palm Desert H.S.) clobbered an infield single to the short stop and then after an error by the first baseman and a ground out, ended up on third base with only one out. Freshman second baseman Nathaniel Lopez (Palm Desert H.S.) brought home Hernandez on another infield single, to give the Roadrunners an early 1-0 lead.

The Roadrunners would extend their lead in the bottom of the second as sophomore catcher Matthew Hernandez (Murrieta Valley) led off the inning with a walk, advancing to third on an opposite field single to right by freshman designated hitter Kyle Henrickson (Anchorage (AK) Dimond). Sophomore right fielder Austin Clifton (Romoland Heritage) would load the bases with a bunt down the third base line and Matt Hernandez would score on a sacrifice fly to left field by freshman center fielder Jordan Crisp (Lakewood Mayfair). Henrickson would score on the next play, on a fielder's choice and an error by the Dons first baseman to give Desert a 3-0 lead.

Desert added another run in the bottom of the third as freshman first baseman Jonathan Mejia (Palm Desert H.S.) led off the inning with a single to center. Henrickson would grab a two out walk and Clifton would load the bases on a hit-by-pitch which nailed him on the left knee. Crisp would secure a bases loaded walk to score Mejia and case the Dons starting pitcher.

Freshman right handed starting pitcher Fernando Rojas (Indio Shadow Hills) was dealing the first three innings, only surrendering three hits, and even in the fourth, he gave up a run and three hits, but the home side had a 4-1 lead. Unfortunately, Rojas hit the wall in the fifth. After getting the first batter to pop up to the shot stop, the Dons received a walk an infield single, then a home to left field. By the time Roajas was pulled, the Dons had scored two more runs and had left the bases loaded with two outs.

The Roadrunners would add two more runs in the bottom of the ninth as sophomore short stop Jerred Soriano (Honolulu (HI) Moanalua) led off the inning with a walk, moved to second on a balk and moved to third base on a passed ball. Lopez would reach on a walk and score, along with Soriano, on a double to left by sophomore third baseman Nick Follett (Toronto (ONT) Bishop Allen Academy).

Next home game for College of the Desert Baseball will be February 24th at 12p, where they will host the Chaffey Panthers of Rancho Cucamonga. Hope to see you there.

Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.