COD (0-4) fought to a scoreless tie though four innings, but a 5 run outburst by the Fullerton Hornets in the 5th and 7th innings, put the Roadrunners in a tough spot as they fell 13-2 to open the 8th annual Buttles Memorial Tournament.

The Baseball Tournament, named posthumously for David Buttles, Roadrunners head coach from 1992 through 2007. Throughout his time at College of the Desert, Buttles collected a record of 291-307 (.486).

The Roadrunners would add a run in the bottom of the fifth, when freshman second baseman Nathaniel Lopez (Palm Desert H.S.) led off the inning with a single to center and sophomore right fielder Austin Clifton (Romoland Heritage) reached base on a hit-by-pitch. On the very next at bat, freshman center fielder Jordan Crisp (Lakewood Mayfair) dropped a single into shallow center field, scoring Lopez.

Desert would plate one more in the bottom of the eighth as freshman pinch hitter Kyle Henrickson (Anchorage (AK) Dimond) reached on a hit-by-pitch and then scampered home on a Lopez double to left.

Next home game for College of the Desert Baseball will be February 2nd at 6p, where they will continue the 8th annual David Buttles Memorial Tournament by facing off with the Cypress Chargers. Hope to see you there.

Photo by Britney Vargas (COD Sports Information)
Information, Photos & Story provided by COD Sports Information.