Friday, February 21, 2014
COYOTES STILL LOOKING FOR 1st WIN: When you have been on the road, nothing is better than sleeping in your own bed and a little home cooking. That is exactly what the Coyotes (0-10) are hoping this weekend when they return to Ridgecrest after 7 rough games that saw them outscored 66-30. The Coyotes are hoping the friendly confines of the Dawg Yard and playing in front of the home crowd will energize the bats and get them on the right track. Coming to town is perennial Foothill Conference powerhouse San Bernardino Valley College (8-4). The Coyotes will face Wolverines in a one-game home stand on Saturday, February 22 at 12:00pm.
The Coyotes have had a hard time staying close early in games. Although they have had early leads in 4 of their 10 games, inconsistent pitching has plagued the Coyotes, averaging 6.3 walked batters per game, with an opponent batting average of .333. The offense has not fared much better, as the Coyotes are hitting .259 and struggling with runners in scoring position.
With the Bat: Freshman Chad Butler (Redlands HS) has picked up some of the team's slack batting .325, with 10 RBI. Starting Right Fielder Kevin Maxey (SO/Long Beach Poly HS) is still swinging the stick well. In 6 games, Maxey is batting .311 with a .533 Slugging percentage, batting for the cycle, and 10 RBI.
On the Bump: As mentioned earlier, pitching is struggling for the Coyotes. The team ERA is 10.45 and they have hit a combined 29 batters with pitches. Freshman Devin Truscott (Needles HS) has performed well in 2.1 innings pitched; he has not allowed an earned run and has only given up 3 hits.
In the Dugout: Coach Jon Holmes has felt the bumpy road thus far, but is proud of the continued effort and fight from his team. "They keep showing up to learn and get better," Holmes said. "We just have to keep working, the pitching will come around and we will start to see some wins."
Record: 8-4
With the Bat: #28 AJ David .293 AVG, 10 RBI, #9 Jason Wilcoxson .373 AVG, 6 RBI
On the Bump: #28 Nick Prezblyk (2-0), 1.95 ERA, 21 Strikeouts
Coach: Bill Mierzwik
Website: http://depts.valleycollege.edu/Athletics.aspx
| Game: | Friday, February 22 12:00pm |
| Broadcast: | Saturday games only: http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/cerrocoso.portal |
Picture Caption: Sophomore Kevin Maxey (Long Beach Poly HS) leads the Coyotes in RBI and home runs. Picture © William Velasquez.
For further information, please contact Joshua Sine, Director of Athletics (760) 384-6376