Rally for 8-6 Win over Cypress College to End the Season
By Jason Kehler, SID, Santa Ana College
SANTA ANA - The Dons closed out the 2013 season with a come-from-behind 8-6 win over Cypress College. The win gives the Dons a final record of 21-14 overall and 8-13 in conference while Cypress ends the season with a 23-13 overall mark and an 11-10 mark in conference.
The Chargers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first two innings with the aid of two errors by the Dons defense. The first two runs came in the first inning on an error before the Chargers scored three runs in the second on a pair of RBI-singles and a sacrifice fly.
But the Dons would start chipping away at the lead, beginning with two runs in the bottom of the second inning on a two-run double by Julio Garcia. Tyler Madrid and Cody Bergeson each scored on the play.
The Dons would pull within one at 5-4 in the fourth inning with Garcia singling in Daniel Martinez before Derek Meddings reached on a fielder's choice that scored Ryan Aguilar. Cypress then extended its lead to 6-4 when Jacob MacWilliam singled in Dylan Moore in the top of the fifth inning.
The Dons rally came in the bottom of the fifth inning starting with a leadoff double by Blake Walker. JB Bryant was then hit by a pitch before Madrid doubled in Walker to pull the Dons within one. After Martinez drew a walk to load the bases, Cypress was called for a balk, bringing the tying run in.
Aguilar followed with a single to centerfield that scored Madrid to give the Dons their first run of the game. Martinez also scored on the play on an error, putting the Dons up 8-6.
Bryan Clough (4-2) held the lead in the sixth inning as he finished off his start before giving way to Tyler Sloan for the final three innings. Sloan earned his second save of the season as he held Cypress scoreless while allowing just two hits.
Clough withstood the early runs to pick up the win in his first home start of the season. His final line was six runs, three earned, on 10 hits over six innings. Robert Pettey (0-1) took the loss for Cypress in relief. Pettey allowed two runs, one earned, on two hits without recording an out.
