COD (8-8; 5-0) made it to .500 for the first time in 2024 by using big hitters and pitchers throwing a no hitter through 5 and a third innings, as the Roadrunners hosted a "road" game due to the visiting field being unavailable and grabbing a lopsided win in the process over the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville (3-10; 0-5), 18-3.

Since 1995, the Roadrunners have dominated the series with Victor Valley, holding a 64-15 record over the Rams, including a 31-7 record in Victorville.

Sophomore second baseman Noah Gutierrez (Tempe (AZ) Marcos de Niza) grabbed his eighth multi-hit game of the season, going 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored out of the leadoff spot and sophomore right fielder Aiden Arriaga (La Quinta H.S.) went 1 for 6 with 2 runs scored and a run batted in. Freshman third baseman Trevor Stowe (Buffalo (WY) H.S.) continued his February dominance, going 3 for 4 in back-to-back games, scoring a run and nabbing an RBI and sophomore shortstop Nicolas Ely (Salt Lake City (UT) Brighton) went 1 for 2 with a solo home run in the top of the ninth. Sophomore first baseman Adam Moser (Peoria (AZ) Sunrise Mountain) went 2 for 2 with 2 runs scored out of the clean-up spot and 3 RBIs and freshman center fielder Jackson Martin (Regina (SK) Martin Collegiate) tied a season high in hits, grabbing his fifth multi-hit game of the season, going 3 for 4 with a run scored. Sophomore left fielder Hunter Pinkston (Redding Shasta) went 2 for 3 with a double in the top of the seventh and freshman designated hitter Samuele Bruno (Nettuno (Italy) Foro Italico Univeristy) went 2 for 3 for his first multi-hit game of the season, grabbing a run and 2 RBIs. Sophomore designated hitter Devin Lopez (Vail (AZ) Cienega) went 1 for 3 with 2 runs scored and sophomore shortstop Eric Arreola (South Gate International Studies Learning Center) went 2 for 3 with 3 RBIs. Sophomore catcher Tyler Nelson (Corona Centennial) went 1 for 5 with 2 runs scored.

Sophomore right-handed starting pitcher Dylan Van Meeteren (Palm Desert Xavier College Prep) was given his second start of the season and tossed four innings of shutout ball, in his longest outing of the season so far, collecting 6 strikeouts. Sophomore left-handed relief pitcher Jeremiah Eneix (Anchorage (AK) A. J. Dimond) threw an inning, grabbing 2 strike outs and nabbing his first win of the season. Sophomore right-handed relief pitcher Alan Gaber (Las Vegas (NV) Sierra Vista) tossed an inning of work, surrendering a hit and striking out one. Sophomore left-handed relief pitcher Anthony Sillas (Palm Desert H.S.) struggled, giving up 3 walks and 3 runs, all earned in an inning and a third, before he was replaced by freshman right-handed relief pitcher Ty Phipps (Blythe Palo Verde Valley) who finished the inning. Sophomore right-handed relief pitcher Callum Montgomery (Pittsburgh (PA) Shaler Area) and sophomore left-handed relief pitcher Hudson Myers (Beaumont H.S.) wrapped up the game for the Roadrunners.

The next contest for Desert is at home on Saturday, March 2nd beginning at 1p, as the Roadrunners continue Conference play against the Victor Valley Rams of Victorville.

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

Information & Story provided by COD Sports Information. Photo by Darbie Catalfamo Photography.