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Errors become unearned runs in 5-4 Cerro Coso defeat

By Kyle Kensing, Sports Editor, The Daily Independent

Cameron White connects with a ball in the second inning yesterday against Chaffey. White hit for two RBI in the Coyotes' 5-4 loss to Chaffey. Daily Independent Photo By Kyle Kensing

Five errors resulted in five unearned Chaffey runs yesterday in a 5-4 Cerro Coso loss.

“The infield is much better than it played,” said head coach Dick Adams.

Coso (21-21, 15-7 Foothill Conference) struggled defensively in a game Adams said was “sloppy” yet “exciting,” and the result was a heartbreaking defeat.

Chaffey's defense also had a rough afternoon, as it committed three errors and yielded three unearned runs of its own.

And all of those runs came in the fourth inning.

The visitors struck for the first three runs of the game in the top fourth, which CCCC answered in the bottom half.

Catcher Kyle Hanson got things going, getting on board thanks to a Chaffey error.

First baseman Andrew Hill followed up with a single, an d Tyler McAllister was aboard with a subsequent walk.

Paul Saville - and a Chaffey error - kept the ball rolling when he hit a lined shot to second base.

The bobbled ball allowed in two runs.

The next batter, Jon Proesl, was hit by a pitch, setting up Cameron White's two-run RBI to give the Coyotes a 4-3 lead.

The Panthers however would strike for two more unearned runs to take, and keep, the lead.

Adams said adding further disappointment to the run difference was that despite outhitting Coso 10-7, Chaffey only had two more baserunners total.

Jessie Zuber pitched 7 1/3 innings and took the loss.

“Zuber threw well,” Adams said, adding he was facing the Foothill Conference's best hitting ball club.

One of those Panther hitters, Jeremy Bamsey, hit the decisive two-run double after a booted double play ball.

“[The errors] go to show how up and down we've been,” Adams said.

Coso sniffed victory in the bottom of the ninth.

The Coyotes loaded up the bases with one out, needing to scratch across at least one for extra innings.

Proesl, Coso's hottest hitter in recent weeks, hit into a game-ending double play.

Adams said not running a squeeze was a difficult call.

“Proesl hits better than he bunts,” the CCCC coach said.

With it playoff hopes dashed, Cerro Coso aims to finish the season on a high note by accumulating an above-.500 record.

To do that, the Dawgs must sweep Saturday's doubleheader at Chaffey.

Adams will send Adam Garner and Ryan Short to the mound.

Friday, April 28, 2006