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Coso drops two games by two runs total

By Kyle Kensing, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent

Ryan Short delivers a pitch
Cerro Coso pitcher Ryan Short in action yesterday. Daily Independent Photo By Kyle Kensing

Cerro Coso twice battled back from early deficits against Oxnard College in yesterday’s doubleheader, but twice the Coyotes fell one run short in the final round of the Mashin’ the Mojave Tournament.

“Too many little mistakes,” said Coso head coach Dick Adams on the difference in the two non-conference games. “We couldn’t get it done.”

Among those little mistakes, base-on-balls proved costly for Coso (19-19) in game two of the afternoon twin bill, an 8-7 Oxnard win.

Ryan Short, making his second appearance since returning from elbow soreness, and Kade McAllister combined for eight walks.

“[Short’s] control isn’t there yet,” Adams said. “His arm strength, his velocity, I’m pleased with that...[But] it’s hard to work on control when you’re hurt.”

The visiting Condors had fewer hits (seven) than they did runs, but made the most of their trips on base.

Oxnard built a 7-1 lead through five innings, but the Dawgs came clawing back.

CCCC struck for four runs in the sixth to cut the Condor lead to two.

It could have been more, however. Coso had the bases loaded with one out before Mark Sayas grounded into a double play.

The Coyotes hit into four double plays on the day.

Coso would get another shot, however.

Trailing by a run in the ninth, Cody Reiger laid down a squeeze bunt that brought the tying run across the plate, and forced extra innings.

In the 10th, those little mistakes again made their presence known.

Paul Saville was unable to get under a fly ball in time. That helped set up a sacrifice fly RBI to give the Condors the lead.

Coso came back in the bottom of the 10th when Saville singled to get on board.

Of those four Coso double plays, one came in this stretch and proved the difference.

Cameron White fired a line drive into left field on a called hit and run. Saville was tagged on the play for two outs, and the game.

“We couldn’t get that extra hit, make that extra play,” Adams said.

Game one saw similar results.

The Condors jumped ahead early, but the Dawgs came back. An Oxnard run the top of the seventh was the difference maker. It gave the visitors a four-run cushion in the last half-inning.

Despite trailing four, CCCC fought to cut it down to a one run deficit including some strong hitting by Sayas and Kevin Orlowski, but that’s as close as it got.

Jessie Zuber pitched all seven innings and took the loss.

Coso continues its quest for a playoff bid next week when it returns to Foothill Conference competition. The Coyotes travel to Mt. San Jacinto Thursday, and host MSJCC next weekend in a douleheader at the Dawg Yard.

The Coyotes trail Chaffey and Rio Hondo in the race for one of the conference’s two postseason berths.

Friday, April 14, 2006