COD (4-31; 2-17) received a gem of a pitching performance and a three-run outburst in the third held, as the Roadrunners crushed a 14-game losing streak with a four-hit shutout of the Imperial Valley Arabs (6-30; 3-19), 3-0.

Freshman right handed starting pitcher Richard Walla (Indio Shadow Hills) didn't allow a runner past first base until the third batter in the fourth inning, with his battery-mate freshman catcher Casey Allen (Twentynine Palms H.S.), they combined to shut down the Arabs. Walla would toss six complete innings, surrendering two hits, walking three and striking out two, grabbing his first win of 2019.

Walla said after the game, "I didn't really know I was going to get the start today, but came in ready to go, like always, and felt really good coming in." Commenting on his catcher Allen, "Probably, the best catcher in the program. He's my locker partner and my bullpen partner, followed me out to the game today and we shut it down."

Desert would struggle at the plate to start the game, as the Imperial Valley starting pitcher was perfect through two and two-thirds innings, but then the second time around the lineup and the wheels really came off quickly.

Freshman right fielder Brice Pokershing (Fontana Summit) would grab a two out walk and advance to second on a wild pitch, then sophomore center fielder and leadoff hitter, Izayah Alvarez (Palm Desert H.S.) doubled to left field, scoring Pokershing. The next batter, freshman short stop Ryan Rodriguez (Rancho Mirage H.S.) would get nailed with a hit-by-pitch and both runners would move into scoring position on a wild pitch. Sophomore second baseman Nathaniel Lopez (Palm Desert H.S.) would draw a four-pitch walk, but the fourth pitch sailed wide of the catcher, scoring Alvarez from third base. Lopez would steal second and freshman designated hitter Mario Ramirez (Rancho Mirage H.S.) would load the bases with a walk, all of this going on with two outs. Then sophomore first baseman Matthew Fisher (Redlands H.S.) was drilled by a hit-by-pitch to score Rodriguez and give the Roadrunners a 3-0 lead.

The Imperial Valley starter was immediately lifted for a reliever, who promptly got the next Desert batter to fly out to center field to end the inning.

Then the game relied on the Roadrunners pitching staff to hold that 3-0 lead. Allen would comment after the game, "Richard did a very good job just hitting his spots, everywhere I put, every sign I called, he just hit. His curveball was very effective and his fastball right down the middle, I mean they couldn't hit him and then Rob came in and backed him up, did his job and got the dub."

In the top of the seventh, Desert brought in freshman right handed relief pitcher Robert Moore (Indio H.S.) to keep the Arabs lineup on their heels and he did just that, tossing three innings of relief and only surrendering two hits. Moore commented after the game, "(I) just (wanted to) go in there (and) finish up what Richard started and hopefully just not let (my teammates) down."

About the win, all three had the same level of relief, leaving Allen to comment, "It feels good, we're almost done, but we're just having fun, that's what it's all about." And Walla to say, "Feels pretty good, honestly, I started the season, wasn't really a go to guy, but worked my way up, this is my third or fourth start and I finally have a dub under my belt."

And Moore to wrap it up with, "Finally, finally."

Follow COD Athletics on Twitter @COD_Athletics Instagram @COD_Athletics or Facebook @College of the Desert Athletics

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

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Michael Leone Photography (f8leone@yahoo.com).