Rustlers Roll Past Irvine Valley, 9-2, Behind Balanced Attack and Strong Pitching

HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The Golden West College baseball team delivered one of its most complete performances of the season on Thursday afternoon, defeating visiting Irvine Valley College, 9-2, in Orange Empire Conference action at Hoover Field.

The Rustlers (15-18, 2-12 OEC) pounded out 14 hits while receiving a strong start on the mound from sophomore right-hander Kameron Lee to secure the conference victory over the Lasers (18-15, 3-11 OEC).

Irvine Valley struck first in the top of the first inning, using an RBI single from Lucas Scott to take a 1-0 lead. Golden West responded immediately in the bottom half, as Zach Fany ripped a double down the left field line to score Nick Salmon and even the game at 1-1.

The Lasers regained the lead in the second inning behind an RBI single from Jacob Ceja, but that would be the last time Irvine Valley held the advantage.

Golden West broke the game open in the fourth inning. Brian Trujillo delivered an RBI single to tie the game at 2-2 before catcher Nick Nashiwa provided the decisive blow. Nashiwa launched a three-run home run to left field, scoring Michael Hollis and James Latshaw to give the Rustlers a 5-2 lead.

From there, Golden West continued to apply pressure offensively. In the sixth inning, Hollis came through with an RBI single to extend the lead to 6-2. The Rustlers added three more runs in the eighth inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Salmon that was aided by a defensive miscue, followed by an RBI single from Levi Maddela to cap the scoring at 9-2.

Nashiwa led the offensive charge, going 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Fany added a 2-for-4 performance with a double and an RBI, while Trujillo and James Latshaw each contributed two hits. Salmon finished with two runs scored and an RBI, and Maddela added a pair of hits and a run driven in.

On the mound, Lee (5-2) earned the win with a solid six-inning outing, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out two. He worked through early traffic before settling in and keeping the Lasers off the scoreboard over his final four innings.

Reliever Ty Hanley was dominant in closing out the game, tossing three shutout innings to earn his first save of the season. Hanley did not allow a hit and struck out two to preserve the victory.

Defensively, the Rustlers were sharp, turning multiple double plays and committing no errors behind their pitching staff.

Golden West closes out the series tomorrow afternoon at Irvine Valley with a 1pm start.