Coyotes sweep Desert, but lose ace
Gallagher injures pitching arm, out for season
By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent
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"This just crushes him, and it crushes us..." |
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The past few days have been a roller coaster ride for the Cerro Coso
Coyotes baseball team.
On Saturday, the Coyotes celebrated a successful sweep of the College of
the Desert Roadrunners, but received devastating news Tuesday with word
that pitching ace Caleb Gallagher is lost for the season due to a
shoulder injury.
The Coyotes (2-1 Foothill) took the seven-inning opening game of the
doubleheader by a score of 4-3, and won the nightcap 7-3. In that first
game, Matt Smith made his first start of the season and, according to
Head Coach Dick Adams, "threw exceptionally well," giving up eight hits
and allowing three runs in his first win of the year. Ryan Short pitched
the final two innings to earn a save.
"This was an extremely well-played game," Adams said. "We followed our
technique perfectly."
The Coyotes executed three perfect sacrifice bunts that led to runs,
including the game-winning run in the sixth. Adam Auer, who went 3-for-3
with two runs scored, drilled a double to open the inning. Tyler Curran
bunted him over to third, and after an intentional walk to Paul Saville,
Tony Teixeira laid a squeeze bunt that scored Auer for the game-winning
run.
In the second game, Aaron Keplinger "pitched a gutty game" and earned
his third win of the year, going 8 2/3 innings and allowing seven hits,
three runs and striking out four. Urbano Sanchez got the final out for
his first save of the season.
Matt Smith went 3-for-4 with an RBI in the game, and Rodney Black's
2-for-4 effort was also critical. Black also tied a school record in the
second inning by being hit by a pitch.
"This team has played a lot of close games this year," said Adams. "Our
guys just played the game of baseball."
Unfortunately for the Coyotes, Gallagher will not be playing for some
time, after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching arm.
Coach Adams said that the sophomore will take about a month to attempt a
rehab, but added that "Tommy John" ligament replacement surgery is
likely in the cards.
"This just crushes him, and it crushes us," Adams said. "He works so
hard, and for this to happen is terrible."
The Coyotes will face Barstow College in Barstow Thursday afternoon at 2
p.m., and will host the Vikings Saturday at noon in a doubleheader.
March 9, 2005
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© 2005
The Daily Independent. Used by permission.
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