By Mateo Lopez, Apr. 12, 2022
On March 22, the CPP men’s baseball team fell 6-2 to Biola University in its second meeting this season at Scolinos Field. The loss snapped the Broncos winning streak at five games, putting their overall record at 13-12.
The Broncos drew 10 walks throughout the game, but the team was held to three total hits. The Eagles would finish the game with 10 hits and 14 strikeouts.
“Going into this game, my game plan was to give guys chances, so I was excited to see some guys get those opportunities,” said head coach Randy Betten. “The three or four at-bats that they haven’t had all year, but of course you want to win as many as you can.”
Betten elected to play six freshman position players and one freshman pitcher in what he deemed as an opportunity.
“We call this an opportunity game; we gave some guys opportunities that haven’t played much and gave them a chance,” said Betten. “I was excited about some things. Some things were good to get guys going again. They’re going to help us in the future.”
The Broncos would pressure the Eagles early in the first inning. After infielder Ryon Knowles drew a walk, designated hitter Chris Aguilar singled to left field to advanced Knowles. Outfielder Carl Lawson would draw a walk to load the bases, but catcher Dylan Long struck out looking to end the inning.
“We definitely had some chances we just got to execute more, but we will be good,” said Aguilar. “Baseball is very difficult. You got to square up a round bat with a round ball. You got to make sure you take everything in, breathe and just see the ball right.”
Aguilar has appeared in eight games this season, with his first official start in the loss to Biola.
“Even though it didn’t show tonight, you never know what’s going to happen in the season and one of us opportunity guys are going to have to step up,” said Aguilar.
The Eagles would come alive in the middle innings, scoring three runs in the third, two runs in the fourth and one in the seventh inning to end their hitting performance and take a commanding 6-0 lead.
The Broncos would not quit. In the seventh inning, the team would score two runs off a fielder’s choice by Aguilar with the bases loaded. In the next at-bat, Long would be struck by a pitch which loaded the bases once again, bringing the second and final run for the Broncos.
While the Broncos allowed six runs off 10 hits, the pitching staff would strikeout the Eagles 12 times. The same amount from their first match in late February when the Broncos allowed 12 runs off 17 hits.
“Last time, we didn’t compete as much; today we competed,” said pitcher Eric Romo. “We went out there, it was a game of opportunities and I feel like we still competed pretty well. Obviously not the outcome we wanted, but I felt like we competed well overall.”
Romo has appeared in every series this season and has allowed only 12 hits through 16.1 innings played with 21 strikeouts.
The Broncos return to Scolinos Field April 14 against Stanislaus State.
Featured image courtesy of CPP Athletics.
