Baseball Drops 4 Games on the Road

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

It was a long holiday weekend for the country, but it was even longer for the Coyote Baseball team, as they were swept in 3 games against LA Valley on Friday and Saturday.

Game 1

Sophomore Thomas Shelley (Boulder City HS) got the start for the Coyotes, but was pulled abruptly after giving up a 7 run second inning to the Monarchs. Two errors in the second also contributed to the big inning, as the Coyotes eventually fell 14-10.

Trailing 13-1 after four innings, the Coyotes had an uphill battle to scratch their way back in the game. Kevin Maxey (SO/Long Beach Poly HS) continued to swing the bat well, going 3 for 5 with two doubles and 5 RBIs to lead the offense, but was stranded on base all 3 times in scoring position. Maxey did have help from Trevor Johnson (FR/Silverado HS) who went 3 for 5 with two doubles and 1 RBI. The remaining runs were unearned, with Maxey and Johnson combining for half of the teams 12 hits.

Game 2

A three run fifth inning pulled the Coyotes within striking distance of the Monarchs at 3-5. However, the Monarchs closed out the game with 5 unanswered runs, scored in 6 of the 9 innings to pull away finishing off the Coyotes 10-3. Inconsistent batting plagued the Coyotes all game as Monarch pitchers were able to get ahead in the counts and force several routine infield ground balls. Chad Butler (FR/Redlands HS) had batted all three runs in; doubling in the top of the fifth to supply the team's only scoring offense. The Coyote pitching staff got roughed up giving up double digit runs for the second game in a row.

Game 3

The Coyotes had the game tied 1-1 going into the bottom of the seventh inning, when starting pitcher Scott Koenen (SO/Rancho HS) gave up two early runs and was replaced with Kain White (FR/Legacy HS). White beaned the first batter he faced, loading the bases for Monarch Catcher Paul Banyi. Banyi knocked White's off-speed pitch out of the park for a Grand Slam, breaking open a close game and putting the game out of reach for the Coyotes who eventually lost 9-1.

Once again the Coyotes struggled offensively as Monarch starter Mitch Williams went 7 innings only allowing one earned run on 6 hits. Miguel Gonzalez (FR/Buena Vista HS) led the Coyotes offensive charge, going 2 for 4 as Chad Butler (FR/Redlands HS) drove in the only run.

Bakersfield Game

Playing their fourth game in as many days, the Coyotes fell to regional rival Bakersfield College 10-4. The offensive struggles continued for most of the Coyote batters, as Freshman Kesean Neighbors (Centennial Corona HS) supplied most of the batting going 3 for 3.

All the Renegades needed were big innings in the second, scoring 4 runs on five hits and in the fourth scoring 4 runs on as many hits, while taking a commanding 8-0 lead into the top of the sixth. Freshman Joseph Martinez (Orange Glen HS) started the game and surrendered 8 runs in 3 1/3 innings pitched and was eventually replaced by Thomas Shelley (SO/Boulder City HS). Shelley calmed the Renegade offensive tide, but the Coyote bats could never get going to make a late charge.

The Coyotes drop to (0-10) on the season, and start conference play Saturday, February 22, 2014 against San Bernardino Valley. The opening pitch will take place at 12:00pm at the Dawg Yard.