COD (3-21; 1-8) had the visitors on the ropes going into the top of the seventh, but the Roadrunners relief pitching and infield defense fell just short in the late innings as the Grossmont Griffins (10-9; 5-4) swept the series, 8-6.

Desert took an early lead in the second inning as freshman catcher Joseph Perez (Buckeye (AZ) Union) hit a sacrifice bunt to score sophomore first baseman Jonathan Mejia (Palm Desert H.S.) and give the Roadrunners a 1-0 lead. Mejia would go 2 for 4 with two runs scored on the afternoon.

Freshman right handed starting pitcher Julian Inzunza-Varelas (Thermal Coachella Valley) had a spectacular outing, tossing six complete, surrendering three hits and four walks, while striking out four.

Desert would double their lead in the fifth as freshman left fielder Jacob Curiel (Moreno Valley H.S.) hit a sacrifice bunt to score freshman right fielder Anthony Ruff II (Moreno Valley H.S.) to give the Roadrunners a 2-0 lead. Ruff would go 2 for 4 with a run scored and a run batted in on the afternoon.

The Roadrunners would add to their lead in the bottom of the sixth, as they plated three runs to give the Roadrunners a 5-0 lead. Sophomore designated hitter Matthew Fisher (Redlands H.S.) would reach on a fielder's choice, but as the Griffins pitcher went to field the ball and attempt to get the runner out at third, he threw the ball into left field, scoring freshman third baseman Mario Ramirez (Rancho Mirage H.S.), giving Desert a 3-0 lead. Ramirez would go 2 for 5 with a run scored on the afternoon. Fisher would go 3 for 5 with a run scored and an RBI on the afternoon.

Perez would once again hit a sacrifice bunt to score Mejia and giving the Roadrunners a 4-0 lead and Ruff would hit an infield single to score Fisher to give the Roadrunners a 5-0 lead.

Then Desert turned the game over to the bullpen in the top of the seventh to wrap the game up and it did not turn out the way the home fans had hoped. Grossmont would load the bases with no outs, then the Griffins clobbered a grand slam home run over the right field fence, then the visitors tied the game on a two out double to right, scoring a runner from second base and tying the game at 5-5.

The Roadrunners would not give up though, as Desert would load the bases in the bottom of the inning with no outs and chase the Griffins reliever that started the inning. On the next at bat with the new Grossmont reliever, Fisher struck out on a wild pitch, scoring sophomore second baseman Nathaniel Lopez (Palm Desert H.S.) and reclaiming the lead, 6-5.

Freshman right handed relief pitcher Jacob Gonzalez (Temecula Valley) would strike out the side in the top of the eighth and Desert would be unable to capitalize on the fourth hit of the day by sophomore center fielder and leadoff hitter, Izayah Alvarez (Palm Desert H.S.) as Curiel lined right into a double play to end the eighth. Alvarez would go 4 for 5 on the afternoon.

In the ninth, the Roadrunners defense fell short under the pressure as an error by the Desert first baseman allowed the first batter to reach base and an error by the second baseman allowed two runners on, leading to a Grossmont three run home run to the left of the flag pole in dead center field, giving the Griffins an 8-6 lead.

In the bottom of the ninth, the Roadrunners would give a good effort, as Mejia hit a two out single to center and Fisher would double to left, chasing another Griffins reliever. Unfortunately, no more runs would cross home plat for Desert.

The next game for College of the Desert Baseball will be in San Marcos on March 19th at 2p, where they will continue Pacific Coast Athletic Conference (PCAC) as they face the Palomar Comets.

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For additional information, please contact the COD Sports Information Office at 760.423.6641.

Information, Story & Photo provided by COD Sports Information.