Brit Sharon/Roundup
Nick Rodarte, the Braham’s starting pitcher, dominated the West L.A. offense as the Pierce baseball defeated the Wildcats at Joe Kelly Field yesterday, 6-1.
Pierce started off slow, however in the bottom of the third inning, the Pierce offense started to get on track.
“They hit three [hits in the third inning] and took control of the game,” said Head Coach of West L.A Bob Grant.
With runners on first and second, Pierce’s second baseman David Whetstone hit a ground ball through the opposing shortstop’s legs. Pierce shortstop Christian Ornelas scored on the play.
In the following at bat, Rodarte hit a double down the right field line—driving in Pierce outfielder Zachary Wagner and Whetstone, to make it a 3-1 run game.
“[I’m] just looking to drive it,” said Rodarte. “The second time [at bat] I knew how he was pitching and [I] worked with it.”
In the bottom of the sixth inning, with teammates on third and second base, Pierce third baseman Matt Moreno hit an infield single to bring Whetstone in for the run.
Pierce coaching staff was in high spirits with their team’s feat over the West L.A.
“Today was big,” said Pierce Assistant Coach Mike Jordt. “We needed it and Rodarte came through for us. We built a lead and held on. We stay with the approach all nine innings and it worked for us.”
Rodarte pitched the entire game only allowing one run by the Wildcats in the second inning.
“It’s difficult pitching the entire game,” said Rodarte, “But the team needed me, so I’m happy I could come through.”
West L.A. was impressed with Rodarte’s performance on the mound.
“You just got a lesson in pitching, boys,” said Grant to his team after the game, “Rodarte played a great ball game. He knows how to pitch. He doesn’t throw hard, but he throws smart.”
West L.A.’s single run came in by third baseman Jose Campos.
“It was a good one,” said Campos, who was able to bring in Pierce outfielder Alex Heumann with the hit. “I worked a full count and got a piece on it,”
The Brahmas were on a five game losing streak until Thursday.
“They [Pierce] put a good fight,” said Kaitlin La Rosa, a law major at Pierce. “They have been doing well until the past two weeks. They [Pierce] have great camaraderie. They get along great and it shows.”
West L.A. drops to 6-11 in conference and 11-19 overall.
Pierce, 9-8 in conference and 21-11 overall, needs to win the next four games to make playoffs.
Pierce competes today at Joe Kelly Field in a make up game against Valley College at 2:30 p.m.
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Pitcher Nick Rodarte winds up for a pitch in the second inning. Nick started of slow but was able to wrap things up easily in a 6-1 win over West L.A. on Thursday, April 23, 2010 at Joe Kelly Field, Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif. (Brit Sharon/Roundup)
David Whetstone connects with the ball for a single in the sixth inning over West L.A. on Thursday, April 23, 2010 at Joe Kelly Field, Pierce College, Woodland Hills, Calif. (Brit Sharon/Roundup)