Hyundai California Community College Baseball Championships

Fresno, CA—The Sacramento City College baseball team defeated the Cuesta Cougars 5-2 today in the first game of the 2001 California Community College Baseball State Championships. After three innings of scoreless play by both teams, the Cougars would get on the board in the fourth inning. Jordan Pickens lead-off the inning with a single. The bases became loaded when Nick Ponomarenko drew a walk off SCC starting pitcher Jake Tompkins. A wild pitch by Tompkins, allowed Pickens to score, putting Cuesta up 1-0.

After going another scoreless inning, the Panthers put up four runs in the sixth inning. Adam Ricks hit a lead-off single to start the inning. Dave Gordon then drove a ball off the sixteen-foot left-field wall, for a double scoring Ricks. Next batter, Dave Bernstine followed with a double of his own scoring Gordon. After a fly out by Josh Lex, Josh Lindstrom singled to left field bringing home Berstine. Rex Rundgren then hit a single over the shortstop, advancing Lindstrom to third. Brett Polan preceded as he bunted for a hit down the first base line scoring Lindstrom to make the score 4-0.

The Panthers would add a run to their lead in the 8th inning. With a 1-2 count, Rundgren launched a pitch from Cuesta starting pitcher, Kevin Miller, over the left-center field wall.

The Cougars scored one more run in the ninth inning. Third baseman Ponomarenko singled to left. He advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Panther reliever, Jason Stevenson. A single by Benny Winslow, two batters later scored Ponomarenko.

The Panthers received a fine, although admittedly shaky pitching performance from starter Jake Tompkins. "Stuff wise, this was my worst game all season, I just kept competing," "From the beginning the feel wasn't there, but I always have the feeling that no one is going to beat me, and that I'm going to win."

Although SCC got off to a slow start, only managing one hit thorough five innings, head coach Andy McKay knew his team just needed one break. "This team plays pitch-by-pitch," "This was our 10th come-from-behind win this year, after being down till the sixth inning."

With the win, the Panthers improved to 35-6, while Cuesta drops to 36-11 and one game away from elimination. The Panthers will face the winner of the Riverside - Fresno College game played tonight at 7pm, tomorrow at 2pm. Box score to follow.

Text provided to the COA courtesy of Maurice Brazleton, Sacramento City SID