Rustlers are headed to Fresno

Huntington Beach, Calif. – Golden West (29-14) is headed to their first California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) State Championship tournament in program history. The Rustlers completed a swept of Chaffey College (31-12) this afternoon in game 2 of the best-of-three sectional series 8-1.

Sophomore starting pitcher Cody Marshall (W, 5-5) was sensational on the mound throwing all 9 innings surrendering 1 run on 6 hits, striking out 9, and walking none. Chris Rodriguez (3 for 4, 1 RBI, 2 runs scored) got things started right away with a lead-off triple over the centerfielders head; a wild pitch would bring him home to give the Rustlers the lead 1-0. Dillon Persinger (2 for 5, 1 run scored) would reach on an error by the shortstop, then Marshall would help his own cause with a single that would bring home Persinger to give the Rustlers a 2-0 lead after the first inning. Chaffey would score their only run in the third inning on a fielder's choice ground out to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

An offensive explosion by the Rustlers in fourth inning just about sealed the game, as the offense scored 5 runs on 5 hits to push their lead to 7-1. Michael Fuchs (3 for 4, 2 RBI, 1 run scored) led off with a double and Daniel Maguire (1 for 5, 1 RBI) the very next batter would lace a single to bring Fuchs home. Rodriguez later in the inning would single home Philip Knapp (0 for 4, 1 run scored) who reached on a fielder's choice. Chris Gilbody (1 for 3, 1 RBI, 1 run scored) would round out the big RBI singles by scoring Tyler Depreta from third. The Rustlers added another run for good measure in the ninth inning when Fuchs came through with another RBI single that scored Gilbody. 

NEXT: Golden West will travel to the CCCAA state tournament hosted by Fresno City. The Rustlers will face No 9 seeded San Joaquin Delta College in the first game of the day on Saturday May 28 at 12pm.