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Big deficit too much for Coso in 16-11 loss:

Loss is Coyotes’ first in conference

By Kyle Kensing, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent

Daily Independent Photo By Kyle Kensing
Cerro Coso first baseman Andrew Hill (right) beats out an Antelope Valley baserunner in the first half of Saturday’s doubleheader. The Coyotes remain in a tie for first place in the Foothill Conference despite dropping the second game 16-11. Coso returns home to host College of the Desert Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Dawg Yard. Daily Independent Photo By Kyle Kensing

Cerro Coso couldn’t recover from giving up 11 runs in the first two innings Saturday in the second half of its doubleheader with Antelope Valley.

AVC opened up against starting pitcher Aaron Keplinger for six runs in the first innings and five more against relievers Greg Byron and Dan Dobson in the second en route to a 16-11 final, Coso’s first Foothill Conference loss of the season.

“An 11-run deficit is tough to overcome,” said Coso head Dick Adams. “Especially in a seven-inning game.”

Because the first half of the doubleheader went nine, Coso (12-13, 8-1 Foothill Conference) and Antelope Valley played seven in the second half of Saturday’s slate.

Had it gone nine, the Coyotes may have been able to claw back.

The Coyotes put together big innings in the fourth and fifth, punctuated with Andrew Hill’s base-clearing triple to draw Cerro Coso within a single run at 12-11.

His three RBI shot with the bases juiced was just one of 14 Cerro Coso hits on the day — which actually paled in comparison to Antelope Valley’s 20 hits.

Adams called it “a slugfest.”

While Hill’s contribution to the slugfest was integral in bringing the Coyotes back, he was the victim of a tough play that went AVC’s way.

Zack Wilson popped one up to shallow center field, and Hill headed for the home. The throw was on point, as was the tag, and Hill was gunned down for the double play.

Deflated, the Coyotes gave up four more runs in the following half-inning, which Antelope Valley rode out for the win.

Though the loss was a decided negative, Adams got some positive news over the weekend. Pitcher Ryan Short, who had been sidelined with soreness in his elbow, should be ready for action this weekend, the Coso head coach said.

In the meantime before Short’s return, Jessie Zuber gets the ball Thursday when the Dawgs host College of the Desert at 2 p.m.

Adams said ace Adam Garner will get a full week’s rest between starts, but could be called upon in the bullpen if needed Thursday.

Tuesday, March 21, 2006