Warriors Drop Game Two at Bakersfield

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - El Camino College led early but ultimately could not prevail over Bakersfield College in a 6-3 loss on Friday afternoon at Gerry Collins Field.  

The Warriors (4-3) had their opportunities to take the lead in the game but ultimately couldn't push the winning runs across.  The Renegades (3-5) went ahead in the 7th inning and held onto it for the final two innings. 

Aaron Orozco got the start and lasted five innings, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits, two walks, and struck out four batters. Garrett Spicuzza pitched the final three innings for El Camino and allowed four runs on five hits and two walks and two strikeouts.

The Warriors outhit the Renegades 10-to-9 for the game but ultimately didn't string the hits together when they needed too.  Benny Casillas led the offense going 4-for-5 at the plate with two runs scored. Jimmy Galicia was 2-for-5 with 1 RBI. 

The Warriors scored first in the first inning after Jimmy Galicia was able to drive in Benny Casillas.   But the Renegades were able to get the run back after the second inning.

The Warriors added one run in the third inning after Diego Alarcon brought in Casillas on a sacrifice fly after Casillas hit a triple. But the Renegades tied the game back up in the next inning to make it all square at 2-2.

The Renegades took a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning before El Camino was able to knot it back up in the next half inning. Benny Casillas led the 7th inning off with a base hit and advanced to second on a stolen base.  Diego Alarcon was intentionally walked and Jimmy Galicia hit a single to shallow center field. Casillas was thrown out by the center fielder on the play. Tristan Gallegos tied the game with a double to score Alarcon and make it a 3-3 game. 

However, Bakersfield finally pulled away in the bottom of the seventh inning.  Will Reynolds had a one out single and stole second base. The next batter walked before Wes Bradford hit a grounder to the El Camino shortstop.  Casillas should've gotten at least one out or a double play but he didn't field the ball cleanly which loaded the bases. The Renegades would score on a pass ball in the next at-bat to take a 4-3 lead.

Bakersfield added two more runs in the 8th inning to go ahead 6-3.  

The Warriors had a chance to make interesting in the ninth inning after loading the bases with no outs.  Benny Casillas led the inning off with a single and Joey Acosta worked a walk. Diego Alarcon hit a single through the left side but that was all the Warriors would be able to do. A strikeout, a fly out, and a line out would end the frame for the Warriors.

The Warriors will look to get the series win in the rubber game in the third game of the three-game set tomorrow.  First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 PM.