The fans were anxious as Warriors’ freshman ace Sebastian Sanchez was brought into the game to get the last out leading 5-4, but an error tied the game and a three RBI bases-clearing double gave Cerritos College an 8-5 lead that would hold up to be final.
All four runs scored by Cerritos in the ninth inning were unearned on account of two errors.
“It’s more than two errors, we walked two guys in the inning and then they get the hit,” coach Nate Fernley said. “That’s what baseball is though, you cant just let the time expire, you have to make all of the outs and at the end of the day we didn’t do it and they did.”
Sanchez is arguably the Warriors’ best starting pitcher but he came in relief for the first time this year.
“I thought Sanchez matched up really well with the next two guys in the lineup,” Fernley said. “The first guy we get him 1-2 but we don’t end up executing pitches and we end up walking him; the next guy we get out but we just don’t make the play.”
Warriors’ starting freshman pitcher Cassius Hamm gave up one run early but settled in nicely finishing with six innings pitched, giving up three runs (one earned) and struck out seven.
“I felt really good, in the bullpen warming up I was locating really well,” Hamm said. “When I’m locating I’m on, and that’s what helped me through those six innings today.”
Sophomore third baseman Zack Ferreira and designated hitter freshman Brady Dorn each had two RBIs for the Warriors. Sophomore first Baseman Jake Sahagian hit a big solo home run in the seventh inning giving the baseball team a 5-3 lead.
“Lefties were throwing me curveballs the whole time,” Sahagian said. “So I was just looking for something elevated, something up in the zone and to make good contact to get something going for our guys.”
Cerritos College (20-11, 12-4 SCC), Long Beach City College (20-11, 12-4 SCC) and El Camino College (23-8, 12-4 SCC) are tied for first in conference after Tuesday.
The Warriors will go on the road in game two of the series against Cerritos on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.
