Chaffey Holds Off Rustlers Late Rally

Huntington Beach, Calif. - Golden West (8-7) tried to chip away at an early 5-0 deficit but came up short as they would fall to Chaffey College (11-4), 7-4.

Chaffey would jump on the Rustlers early as the first three batters of the game would reach base and score to put them behind 3-0. More of the same in the second inning as Chaffey wasted no time extending their lead and scoring two more runs for a 5-0 lead. The Rustlers would get one run back thanks to a RBI single by Zakk Morgan (1 for 5, 1 RBI) that would plate Jeremiah Vison in the bottom of the third.

Golden West would chip away at Chaffey's lead a little more when Chris Rodriguez (1 for 5, 1 RBI) singled home Jake Hinzo in the bottom of the fifth to make it a 5-2 ball game. The bullpen for Golden West held strong after starter Jared Sturgeon was pulled in the second inning. Justin Marquez and Troy Bethel logged majority of the innings and held CHaffey to three runs over 7 and 1/3 innings. The offense made its final attack in the bottom of the 8th inning as they were able to load the bases with two outs. Hinzo ( 2 for 4, 2 RBI) came through with the clutch two RBI double to cut the lead to 5-4 heading to the ninth.

Unfortunately, Chaffey's offense would wake up and score two critical insurance runs to give them a cushion heading into the bottom of the frame. The Rustlers would get the leadoff hitter on base but would immediately hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end their threat and lose 7-4.

NEXT: Golden West will open Orange Empire Conference play by hosting Saddleback College Tuesday, March 7th at 2pm.