Bryan Melara / Roundup
The Pierce College baseball team (11-2, 1-0) pulled off an astonishing win Monday at Joe Kelly Field as they stunned Citrus College in the ninth inning to get their first league win.
In the ninth inning of a tied game, Pierce third baseman Matt Moreno came up to the plate with the bases cleared and scorched a deep home-run to centerfield on the first pitch to give the Brahmas the victory.
“We feel good, I think we have momentum beating these guys the way we did,” said Moreno. “So I feel momentum is on our side going into next game.”
Moreno or ‘Matty Mo’ as teammates call him went 2-for-3 in the game with a double and a solo home-run, Moreno apparently didn’t surprise any of his teammates, like he did Citrus in the ninth.
“I knew he [Moreno] was going first pitch, I knew he was hacking he’s been clutch all year,” said Pierce College catcher Ryan Gasparra. “Once we saw the outfielder go back, we knew it was out.”
Despite the win Pierce didn’t begin the game as brilliant as they finished, as some defensive errors and bad pitches left them trailing through the first three innings.
Pierce began the fourth down two runs, but a leadoff single by starter Nick Rodarte, followed by a Zack Gilula RBI double tied the game.
Following the Gilula RBI double, the Brahmas took their first lead of the game on a two run home-run by first baseman Justin Fredlander, as part of a three run fourth inning.
After five innings Pierce’s Rodarte was pulled having allowed five runs (one unearned) on eight hits, three walks and five strikeouts.
“I was pretty pissed about my performance on the mound, but one thing about being team captain you gotta keep your head up and stay focused,” said Rodarte.
Pierce coach John Bushart stated that Rodarte has been pitching okay, but for his standards hasn’t pitched so good.
Freshman pitcher Jason McCracken pitched terrific in relief giving up only one hit in four innings ending any thoughts of a comeback for Citrus.
“He was throwing good inside fastballs and hitting his spots,” said Gasparra.
Unlike last game Pierce ran the bases exceptionally well and kept base-running mistakes at a minimum.
Although they did strand a total of eight runners in the game, they got their bats working for them at clutch moments.
“We did a great job staying with the hitting plan,” said Bushart.
On the other side of the mound Citrus left ten men on base.
“We left way too many runners on base and had very poor at-bats,” said Citrus coach Steve Gomez. “We had runners in scoring position the first five innings.”
The Brahmas went 10-2 in non-league games but these are the games Pierce really wants and really needs to win in order to make the playoffs.
Although the season is long and the road to the playoffs is a long one, this is still a step in the right direction.
“This is a resilient ball club, we’ve been behind before and found ways to come back,” said Bushart. “This team doesn’t panic”
Pierce will face Citrus College again tomorrow at Citrus College, first pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
