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Coyotes can't catch up to Roadrunners, fall 10-7

Saturday showdown with Chaffey a must-win situation

By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent

Cerro Coso right-fielder Kip Keith (left) went 2-for-4 at the plate, including a three-run home run in the second inning Thursday, but it wasn't enough to propel the Coyotes past the College of the Desert Roadrunners in a 10-7 loss in the second game of the Foothill Conference Tournament. (DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY NATHAN AHLE)

What a difference six days make.

Saturday afternoon, the Cerro Coso Coyotes faced College of the Desert starter Fred Caron at the Dawg Yard in the opening game of a doubleheader. The Dawgs lit up the Roadrunner right-hander, and Caron departed after only an inning and two-thirds, and the Coyotes won the game.

Thursday afternoon was a very different affair, as Caron went all nine innings, helping COD to a 10-7 victory in the second game of the Foothill Conference Tournament at Cerro Coso.

"We had him (Caron) on the ropes," said Coyotes Head Coach Dick Adams. "They were ready to take him out, but they kept scoring runs."

Things looked good for the Coyotes (23-12, 19-7 Foothill) early on, as the team was able to overcome an early deficit. Down 3-1 in the second inning, right-fielder Kip Keith drilled a three-run home run off Caron, giving Cerro Coso a 4-3 lead and some much-needed momentum.

However, Coyote starter Matt Smith (4-2) couldn't keep things going. The lefty allowed 13 hits and eight runs - six earned - in only four innings of work, and was forced to give way to Junior Dawkins.

The Coyotes led 7-5 after four innings, but a three-run fifth off of Smith and Dawkins sealed the deal. Two more COD runs in the sixth put the game away, and while reliever Darren Green pitched 3 1/3 innings of scoreless ball for the Coyotes, Caron held the team at bay, holding the locals to only nine hits (Desert pounded out 19), and keeping the Cerro Coso hitters from circling the bases during the last five innings.

Keith and catcher Adam Auer had the top days for the Coyotes at the plate, as each player went 2-for-4.

The game was also the final home game at Cerro Coso for the team's sophomore:. Keith, Dawkins, Green, Ryan Penn, Nick Gitthens, Beau Walker, Antoine McLeod, and Nick Wagner will all be leaving the team after this year.

Saturday afternoon is a must-win for the Coyotes if they hope to have a shot at the state playoffs. Cerro Coso could qualify as an at-large team from the Foothill Conference, depending on the records of teams from the other conferences in the state.

"It should be a good game," said Adams. "We're sending (Ryan) Penn to the mound, and they're going to have a good crowd there."

"It'll be a playoff-type atmosphere."

For those who can't make the game, tune into KLOA 1240 AM radio, where Tom Heck will have the play-by-play action. Sunday's edition of The Daily Independent will feature a full recap as well.

April 30, 2004