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Cerro Coso falls to Riverside City in non-league makeup

By Nathan Ahle, The Daily Independent

"We just need to get back on track offensively."

The Cerro Coso Coyotes made up a non-conference game Tuesday afternoon in Riverside, as they battled with Riverside City College. The game was a tightly-played affair, with the Coyotes ending up on the short end of a 2-1, 10-inning ballgame.

Cerro Coso scored its run in the eighth inning. Rodney Black led off the inning with a hit, then moved over to third via sacrifice two batters later. Matt Smith drilled a hit that scored Black, but unfortunately the threat ended shortly thereafter. Cerro Coso left nine men on base in the game, including six runners in scoring position.

Riverside City took a 1-0 lead in the second inning off Coyote starter Adam Garner. After a single to open the inning and a sacrifice bunt, Garner threw a wild pitch, which moved the runner to third base. A sacrifice fly to the outfield scored the run.

Cerro Coso Head Coach Dick Adams was pleased with the effort put forth by his starter.

"He did a nice job," said Adams of Garner.

In the tenth inning, Cerro Coso reliever Urbano Sanchez walked the leadoff hitter, then gave up a base hit. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners to second and third, Ryan Short entered the game for the Dawgs and struck out the first hitter he faced for the second out of the inning. A single to centerfield by the next batter ended the game.

After the game, Adams was pleased with the defense and pitching performances, but was concerned with the Coyotes' woes on offense.

"We're just struggling at the plate right now," said Adams. "We just need to get back on track offensively."

The coach added that in the team's recent six-game losing streak, the Coyotes have faced very solid pitching.

The team will have a chance to get back on track today against Rio Hondo, in a 2 p.m. Foothill Conference game at the Dawg Yard.