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CCCC opens conference with win

By Cheeto Barrera, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent

DAILY INDEPENDENT PHOTO BY CHEETO BARRERA. Mark Sayas attempts to throw out a runner at first base following a chopper that barely went past the mound in Cerro Coso's Foothill Conference opener on Thursday.

A first inning run by Barstow didn't last long against Cerro Coso who scored a pair of runs to open the game en route to a 7-2 win in the Coyotes' first Foothill Conference match up.

The Dawgs are now on a three-game winning streak and improve to 7-10 overall (1-0 in conference).

Jon Proesl delivered the knockout blow in the seventh inning nailing a two-run jack over left center field to run the score up to 6-2.

Cerro Coso added an insurance run in the eighth when Fred Bello, who reached on a single and stole second and was moved to third by Clint Williams who pinch hit, was driven home by a Cody Rieger single.

Coach Dick Adams said he was especially pleased with the performance by Jessie Zuber who went seven and two-thirds innings despite not having his A game.

“Jessie didn't have his best stuff, but he just really competed,” Adams said.

Adams said Zuber was aided along by a solid defensive effort that didn't commit any errors on the night.

The only hiccup came in the first inning when Bello, who was moved to third base from his normal position in the outfield, was out of position on a ground ball that allowed a runner from second to score.

The Coyotes didn't trail very long as Royal Good hit a one out triple to the left-center gap and was driven up by a sacrifice fly by Proesl.

Cerro Coso extended the inning when Cameron White hit a single and moved to second on a balk. He advanced to third when the Barstow pitcher threw the ball into center field on a failed pick off play.

He was driven home on a Brett Cobbley single.

The Coyote lead was extended to 4-1 in the fourth inning following some small ball and a throwing error.

Bellow singled and was moved to second on a sacrifice by Nick Parker.

Rieger then singled and Adams initially held Bello at third. But an infield relay was thrown errant by the Barstow first baseman and Bello took off.

“They mishandled the relay and Bello is quick as lighting,” Adams said. “He just took off to score easily.”

Barstow chipped at the lead in the seventh inning following a lead off double to cut the deficit to 4-2.

But Proesl's home run killed any hopes of a comeback as the Coyotes are looking to get rolling in conference play.

Barstow, Adams said, is a completely different team that previous years. With an 8-12 record, Barstow already has six more wins than they did all of last year.

The Vikings, however, dropped four straight conference games, but Adams said it is still up to the team to play well.

“I think we're going to have our hands full Saturday at their place,” Adams said. “Our guys have a three game streak. (But) there are 24 conference games and we have 23 to go. We cannot play poorly in one of them because it could cost us a playoff spot. ... I think this race going to be that tight.”

Adams added that the none of the rest of the conference had anyone sweep, so come playoff time, every win and loss is going to matter.

He said the team just needs to play like they have been with solid defense.

After a day off Friday, the Coyotes will travel to Barstow on Saturday for a double header with the first game scheduled to start at noon. The Dawgs will stay on the road for a Foothill Conference game against San Bernardino on Thursday and will return home March 17 for a double header against the Wolverines.

Friday, March 9, 2007