Four-Run Fifth Lifts Dons over Cerritos College 7-2

Tanner Negrette led the way offensively in the Dons 7-2 win over Cerritos College. Negrette finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.
Tanner Negrette led the way offensively in the Dons 7-2 win over Cerritos College. Negrette finished 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

SANTA ANA - The first time the Dons and Cerritos College met, 10 days ago, it was the Falcons (5-4) who came out victorious after holding the Dons (7-2-1) to just two hits. Today, on the other hand, the Dons got seven runs on 13 hits to get the 7-2 victory.

Cerritos, however, got the on the board first in the first inning after Brett Thompson hit a two-out double before eventually coming around to score when Shane Preston drew a bases loaded walk.

But the Dons came back to tie the game at 1-1 in the third inning with Cameron Baranek reaching on a bunt single before stealing second base. Baranek would score when Tanner Negrette hit a RBI-single to left field.

It was the fifth inning when the Dons pulled away as they scored four runs on four hits while also utilizing a Falcons error to their advantage. Colin Winn led the frame off by reaching on an error before moving to second on a Baranek double.

Negrette then plated Winn on a bunt single before Alex Mascarenas singled in Baranek. Later in the inning, Negrette scored on Troy Baird's sacrifice fly before Mascarenas scored on a RBI-groundout by Manuel Segura.

The Dons added two more runs in the sixth inning with Negrette doubling in Baranek and Baird singling in Negrette.

Derek Batuyong (1-0) picked up the win as he pitched a perfect fifth inning in relief of Daniel Pena who allowed one run on three hits over four inning. Valentin Flores-Gomes (0-2) took the loss for Cerritos after allowing five runs, three earned, on nine hits in four innings.