Coyotes win opener
Defense shines, Keith goes 4-for-5 in 7-5 victory
By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent
The Cerro Coso Coyotes baseball team got its 2004 campaign off to a good
start Thursday afternoon with a 7-5 win over L.A. City College, in a
game called after eight innings due to darkness.
"We played very well," said Coyotes Head Coach Dick Adams.
Participating in the first game of the Western States Classic "Bash at
the Beach," Cerro Coso took on L.A. City at Moorpark College in
Moorpark. The Coyotes (1-0) relied on solid pitching and defense to earn
the win.
With a flu bug circulating through the team, Ryan Penn, the projected
opening-day starter, was forced to skip his start on the mound and play
third base. Penn contributed two hits, including a double, as the Coyote
offense jumped out to a 5-0 lead.
The offensive star of the game was leadoff man and right-fielder Kip
Keith. The Ontario native went 4-for-5 with two RBI's and a triple,
helping to spark the offense.
Darren Green got the start for the Coyotes and lasted into the fifth
inning, giving up five runs, three of which were earned, on five hits,
walking four and striking out two. With the bases loaded in the fifth
inning, Ben Douglas (1-0) relieved Green and allowed two of the
inherited runners to score, but allowed only one run the rest of the way
to pick up his first Cerro Coso win.
"Douglas got into a rhythm and threw the ball well," said Adams.
"We jumped out to a 5-0 lead, and they (L.A. City) just started to chip
away," said Adams. "They kept trying to come at us, but our pitchers
pitched decently and we had very good defense."
Two of the defensive sparks were shortstop Norm Love and second-baseman
Rodney Black. Love was "steady" according to Adams, but the coach felt
that Black had a "great game."
Friday, the Coyotes will face College of the Canyons in the second game
of the three-day tournament.
January 30, 2004
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The Daily Independent. Used by permission.
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