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Coso enters tourney with twinbill split

By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent

Cerro Coso Coyotes pitcher Matt Smith throws a strike during the third inning of the first game of the Coyotes' doubleheader with College of the Desert Saturday. Smith picked up a victory in the college's 10-5 win. DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY NATHAN AHLE

It was the final weekend of the Foothill Conference regular season, and the Cerro Coso College Coyotes made a big statement with a Saturday doubleheader split against the College of the Desert Roadrunners. Cerro Coso took the first game 10-5, but fell behind early in the nightcap and were unable to catch up, losing 9-6.

In the opener, Matt Smith took the hill for his first start in a few weeks due to elbow problems. Smith was solid throughout, pitching all seven innings and allowing 10 hits and five runs, striking out one.

"I was keeping the ball down," said Smith when asked what the key was to his success Saturday. "I didn't have much of a fastball, so I was sticking to the changeup."

Smith added that keeping ahead of hitters was also key.

"Smith threw the ball over the plate and got us a win we needed," said Coyotes Head Coach Dick Adams.

The Coyotes (22-11 overall, 16-8 Foothill) were helped by a six-run inning against Roadrunner starter Fred Caron. The big blow in that frame was a two-run double by Ryan Penn, playing left field on the day. Penn went 2-for-4 in the opener.

Also in the first game, Rodney Black and Antoine McLeod had two hits.

In the nightcap, Caleb Gallagher gave up two runs in the first inning with two outs, and ended up surrendering seven runs (six earned) in only 2 1/3 innings of work.

"Caleb didn't pitch well," said Adams.

A five-run third inning gave Desert a big lead, but the Coyotes battled back with three runs in the fourth inning and a run in the fifth. According to Adams, the Coyotes had runners on in both the eighth and ninth innings with a chance to pull even closer, but double play balls thrown by Desert hurler Tyler Cross squelched the rally.

"We kept on trying," said Adams.

The coach mentioned Darren Green as a bright spot for Cerro Coso. The reliever had another scoreless outing, giving him 11 consecutive innings without a run allowed.

The Coyotes have qualified for the postseason tournament as the number three team in the conference, and will host either the same Roadrunner team they battled this weekend or the Mt. San Jacinto College War Eagles Tuesday afternoon at the Dawg Yard.

The first pitch is set for 2:30 p.m.

April 25, 2004