Baseball team falls in ninth at Saddleback
Feb 26, 2009
The Irvine Valley baseball team lost a tough one on Thursday in its Orange Empire Conference opener.
Saddleback scored a run in the bottom of the ninth inning to pull out a 4-3 win over IVC at Saddleback.
Saddleback improved its record to 11-7 overall and 1-0 in conference and IVC dropped to 7-7 overall and 0-1 in conference. It was the fourth straight loss for the Lasers.
"We are just not a sharp team right now," IVC Coach Kent Madole said. "We have to get it together."
The Lasers made three errors in the contest.
Sophomore Matt Reyes was solid on the mound, going 6 1/3 innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on seven hits and a walk. Reyes had four strikeouts.
Sophomore Jared Haller relieved Reyes. He went 1 2/3 innings and allowed one run on two hits with two strikeouts.
Haller allowed a hit to start the ninth inning. He was then replaced by freshman reliever Gary Gerhardt. Darren Coombs then reached on an error to put runners on first and second. After an out, Jeff Montenegro walked to load the bases.
Gearhardt hit Kelvin Mota with a pitch to bring in the winning run.
Irvine Valley had tied the game, 3-3, in the top of the eighth inning.
With two outs, sophomore second baseman Sean Williams singled off Saddleback starting pitcher Robby Ross. Sophomore catcher Connor Rhoads was hit by a pitch.
Ross was replaced by reliever Tim Troyer.
But IVC right fielder Robbie Robinson promptly singled off Troyer to drive in Williams.
The Lasers scored their other two runs in the top of the third to take a 2-1 lead at the time.
With two outs, sophomore designated hitter Alonzo Vasquez, Williams, Rhoads and Robinson all hit singles. Rhoads' and Robinson's hits drove in runs.
Robinson ended up going 2 for 4 with two RBI, Williams was 2 for 4 with two runs scored, sophomore first baseman Jon Saldana was 1 for 2 and Vasquez went 1 for 3 with a run scored.
IVC plays again Saturday, hosting Golden West at 12 p.m.