Rustlers stung by the Hornets, 10-1
The Rustlers traveled to Fullerton College Saturday, April 9 and lost to the Hornets, 10-1. When these two teams played earlier this season, Golden West won 5-1. After Saturday’s result, the two teams have managed to split their games to one win each.
The Rustlers traveled to Fullerton College Saturday, April 9 and lost to the Hornets, 10-1. When these two teams played earlier this season, Golden West won 5-1. After Saturday's result, the two teams have managed to split their games to one win each.
"We couldn't even beat a high school team right now," is all head coach Bert Villarreal had to say after the game. It is disconcerting for the Rustlers that errors are still being made this deep in the season. It didn't help that Hornets starting pitcher Chase Yamashiro didn't allow a single run in the seven innings that he was on the mound.
GWC starting pitcher Race Parmenter allowed seven runs in his four innings before being replaced by Cody Green. One of the sole highlights for the Rustlers came when shortstop Eric Gonzalez managed to turn a double play to get out of a jam in the bottom of the first inning after Fullerton managed to load the bases.
Green allowed three runs in the fifth inning and one in the bottom of the sixth although only one was credited to his earned run average and the other three were considered to be the consequence of errors by the team. Jordan Moak replaced Green after a lead-off single was allowed in the sixth inning.
Moak allowed one run and retired two batters before Mike Syrett came in to replace him. Syrett finished the game for Golden West, earning two strikeouts and allowing two runs and two hits in two and one-third innings.
Nicolas Lum came in the game as a pinch hitter in the top of the seventh inning and wound up responsible for batting in the green and gold's sole run in the eighth inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Lum grounded into a fielder's choice, but managed to reach first and allow Blake Cooper to score.
Consistency has been an area of concern for the team all season long and they have now lost two games in a row, with an overall record of (12-17). The Rustlers will see their next opportunities to recover when they play Saddleback College on the road Thursday, April 14 and again at home Friday, April 15.