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Two late rallies doom Coyotes

By Kyle Kensing, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent

Coso outfielder Tyler Curran aims to lay down a bunt in action last season. The Coyotes kick off Foothill Conference play tomorrow at Barstow, and host BCC Saturday. Daily Independent File Photo By Mike Delaney

It was “the same story” over the weekend for Cerro Coso baseball at Golden West, according to head coach Dick Adams.

The Coyotes (4-12) hung tough with the Orange Empire League foe through eight innings in 7-2 and 7-3 losses, but separate flurries of GWC runs made the difference.

“We shut down offensively,” Adams said of the difference in Coso's two losses.

The Dawgs entered the home stretch of each contest trailing 4-2 and 4-3, respectively, but gave up back-to-back three-run eighth innings.

Coso shut down GWC for five innings Saturday behind a solid start from Adam Garner, and led 1-0.

But in the sixth, Golden West struck for four runs.

The rally started with a walk, and was fueled by a single that Adams said the Coyotes should have turned into a double play.

Aside from the missed opportunity, Adams said his squad played a stellar defensive game, going error-free on the day.

Offensively, the Coyotes managed nine hits, but couldn't translate those into runs.

Coso had the bases juiced in the third with no outs, but a double play ball killed the rally.

“We can't get multiple runs in bunches,” Adams said.

Ryan Short took the loss Friday, putting his record at 1-3. Short threw five innings and gave up two runs.

Aaron Keplinger gave up two in relief, while Jessie Zuber had a rough 1/3 inning appearance in the eighth, allowing the three Golden West runs.

At the plate, Zack Wilson batted 2-for-4 with a double, while Mark Sayas scratched across an RBI.

Utilityman Liam Tenant came on as a pinch hitter and for the second time on the season, delivered with a base hit. His knock drove in a run.

Adams said his team looks to interpret the lessons its learned in the non-conference schedule to a fresh slate with the beginning of Foothill Conference play.

“We've learned we're the underdog in every game,” he said. “We can't take anyone for granted.”

The Coyotes travel to Barstow tomorrow for the first conference game of 2006.

“Nothing in the pre-season counts toward our record to postseason play,” Adams said of the significance of the impending conference schedule. “We've got 24 games to finish in the top two.”

A first or second finish in Foothill play ensures Coso a spot in the California Playoffs.

Barstow makes the trip down the 15 and up Highway 395 Saturday for Coso's home conference opener, a double-header Saturday, which gets underway at noon.

Wednesday, March 1, 2006