Despite American River College’s baseball team’s five runs, it was not enough to come back from a five run second inning in their season opener against West Valley College, as three separate West Valley players had two RBIs each in the game en route to a 9-5 win.
After finishing last season with an overall record of 11-25, ARC struggled to keep pace in this contest, trailing almost the entire game.
ARC’s best chance to come back came in the bottom of the 6th inning, trailing 8-5 after holding West Valley scoreless in the top half of the frame.
Second baseman Tony Montano singled to give West Valley a 2-1 lead, and after a walk to Lares loaded the bases, shortstop Nick McGrew reached on an infield hit to extend the inning.
A sacrifice fly by Mullins made the score 4-1, and two runs score on a single by Kuhl, as interference was called at third base, allowing the lead to grow to 6-1.
ARC fell behind by as many as six runs, never coming closer than the sixth inning chance when the tying run came to the plate.
West Valley reliever Kyle Fahey pitched a scoreless sixth for West Valley following Emory’s exit, and Dylan Bell finished off the game, as ARC managed only one hit off of Bell in the final three innings.
Right fielder Alex Gaskin reached first after being hit by a pitch, which was followed by a walk to designated hitter Kirby Broadbent, putting two runners on for ARC with one out.
Third baseman Austin Call was also hit by a pitch, and started walking to first base before umpire Mike Miklaus signaled for him to return to the batter’s box, believing Call didn’t make an attempt to avoid the ball. Call then struck out.
Left fielder Jimmy Lunardelli followed for ARC, and hit a line drive to center field that was snagged in a diving attempt by West Valley’s Gabe Lares to end the inning.
ARC starting pitcher Matt Gunter lasted only three innings, giving up eight runs (six earned) on eight hits, and walked six. He also had four of the eight strikeouts for ARC’s pitching staff.
There was a high amount of walks drawn, with each team allowing nine in total, and six each by the respective starting pitchers.
West Valley scored in the first inning on an RBI double by Mullins, with McGrew scoring.
ARC countered in the bottom half of the inning, as Call doubled to left field to score second baseman Christian Savage, who had reached base after being hit by a pitch from West Valley starter Tim Emory.
Emory lasted five innings in the opening day start, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits, while striking out two, and allowed six walks as previously noted.
West Valley attained its five second inning runs helped by a walk and throwing error by Gunter that allowed the first two batters to reach.
West Valley reliever Kyle Fahey pitched a scoreless sixth for West Valley following Emory’s exit, and Dylan Bell finished off the game, as ARC managed only one hit off of Bell in the final three innings.
The game ended on a pop out to first base by center fielder Brandon Raposa, who went 1-4 with an RBI and run score, as Bell recorded his first save of the season.
ARC head coach Doug Jumelet declined to comment on the game, and did not make players available for interviews.
