Clutch Outfield Assist Secures Huskies Win

by Cerwin D Haynes

Leading 3-1 going into the top of the ninth, East LA College baseball looked to snap its two-game losing streak by beating Moorpark College. The Raiders scored one run, and literally came within a foot of tying the game, but thanks to clutch fielding of freshmen CF Felipe De Alba and 3B Evan Chavez, East LA nabbed the advancing runner at third just before the tying run crossed home plate for the third out. ELAC edged Moorpark 3-2.

Sophomore RHP Andrew Contreras came into the game in the top of the ninth to close out the win, but struggled with his control. He gave a up a leadoff single to Mingyu Kim, threw a wild pitch which let Kim take second, and then gave up another single to Brandon Glucroft which drove in Kim from second. Head Coach Alec Adame saw enough, and summoned another sophomore righty in Julian Hernandez from the bullpen. Hernandez induced Rodney Sabbe into a groundout which advanced Glucroft to second, and struck out Tre Harvey for out #2. He battled the next batter, Jack Almeida, to a full count but lost him on a walk.

Anthony Deluca was next to the plate, and it looked as if he was going to tie the game as he rapped a base hit to left center. Both Moorpark runners looked to take two bases with Glucroft the potential tying run: De Alba fielded, and saw Almeida trying to race from first to third. He fired a throw to Chavez, who put the tag down on Almeida as Glucroft was a step away from crossing home plate. Home plate umpire confirmed the out at third was made before the run could score, and the Pack held on for win #4 on the season.

HUSKY BITS

• Huskies freshman SP Ricardo Villegas turned in a strong start. His line: six innings, one run on five hits and one walk with seven strikeouts.
• Freshman LF Eddie Perez went 2-2 with a walk and a run scored.
• Sophomore 1B Beno Olmeda went 2-4 with an RBI.
• Moorpark SP Valor Castroll also went six innings. Huskies had four hits and drew six walks off Castroll, but only managed one run off him.

UP NEXT

ELAC is back on the home diamond tomorrow for a home-and-home with Santa Ana at 2pm. East will visit the Dons on Saturday 12pm.