Runyan Walks it Off in the 11th Inning for Win

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. – In a dramatic extra-inning showdown, the Golden West College Rustlers edged out the visiting San Diego City College Knights, 8-7, in 11 innings at John Altobelli Park at Orange Coast College on Saturday afternoon. A walk-off single by Landon Runyan sealed the victory as Golden West improved to 5-2 on the season, while San Diego City fell to 0-6.

Golden West struck first in the bottom of the first inning when Roman Meyers delivered an RBI single, bringing home Cole Belfanti for a 1-0 lead. The game remained quiet until the fourth, when San Diego City responded with two runs, courtesy of an RBI single by Eliah Montgomery and a fielder's choice RBI from Tanner Lee, giving the Knights a 2-1 edge.

The Rustlers quickly answered back in the bottom of the fourth, reclaiming the lead with a three-run inning. Isaac Ocampo's clutch two-run single plated EJ Barnes and Dennis Fitzpatrick, and Jonny Rodriguez followed with an RBI single to push Golden West ahead, 4-2.

San Diego City chipped away with a run in the fifth on a Gavin Daley RBI double, trimming the deficit to 4-3. The Knights tied the game in the seventh when Montgomery drove in Cameron Breeze with an RBI single, making it 4-4.

Golden West regained control in the bottom of the seventh when Fitzpatrick hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Bryan Martinez, followed by an RBI single from Barnes, extending the lead to 6-4. However, San Diego City refused to go away, tying the game again in the eighth on a sacrifice fly from Daley and an RBI single from Breeze.

The Knights took a 7-6 lead in the top of the 11th after Lee delivered a clutch RBI double to center field, bringing in Breeze. But the Rustlers had the final say in the bottom of the inning. Fitzpatrick singled home Zack Burrow to tie the game, and Runyan played hero with a walk-off RBI single to center, scoring Fitzpatrick and sending the Rustlers into celebration.