COD Baseball falls late in frustrating loss to the Knights, 9-8

COD (1-3) held a 7-6 lead going into the top of the ninth, but a three run top half of the inning proved to be the difference, as the San Diego City Knights (1-3) barely escaped the Roadrunners, 9-8.

San Diego City got onto the board first with a run in the top of the first and Desert would equalize in the bottom of the third. The Knights busted the game wide open after a big call at first base, which called a runner safe, which the home crowd believed to be tagged out on a Desert one handed toss to first by the short stop. The play loaded the bases and led to a big inning for San Diego City, giving the visitors a 6-1 lead.

Desert would roar back, scoring three in the sixth and three more in the seventh to take a 7-6 lead, but a three run outburst in the ninth, by the Knights, was the difference.

Freshman left fielder and leadoff hitter Clayton Smith (Yucca Valley H.S.) went 1 for 4 with two runs scored and sophomore center fielder Joshua Hernandez (Palm Desert H.S.) went 2 for 3 with three runs batted in.

Sophomore first baseman Brandon Zwiener (Millard West, NE) went 2 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI and sophomore third baseman Mario Ramirez (Rancho Mirage H.S.) went 2 for 5.

Sophomore right fielder Christopher Burke (Temecula Valley) went 3 for 4 with two RBI's and freshman shortstop Spencer Dickinson (Rancho Mirage H.S.) went 2 for 4.

Sophomore designated hitter Bryce Osman (Anna-Jonesboro, IL) went 1 for 3 with two runs scored on the evening.

Sophomore right handed starting pitcher Brian Glenn (Palm Desert H.S.) tossed another no-decision, throwing five complete innings, surrendering six runs, three earned on six hits walking five and a strike out.

Freshman right handed relief pitcher Noah Guilin (Cathedral City H.S.) performed well out of the bullpen, tossing three innings, giving up a run on a hit and striking out two.

Freshman right handed relief pitcher Charles Graham (Palm Springs H.S.) struggled, giving up two runs on two hits and sophomore right handed relief pitcher Harrison Nation (Indio Shadow Hills) tossed an inning, giving up a hit and nailing down a strike out.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).