The Mariner's non-conference schedule ended on a high note on Saturday as they defeated BVC foe Laney College in a non-league game 10-8. Marin efficiently scored 10 runs on 12 hits and Marcus Chiu had another big game with a home run, double and three RBI. College of Marin jumped out to a five run lead in the bottom of the second inning and held off Laney who had the tying run at the plate in the top of the ninth inning.
The bottom of the second inning was a showcase of College of Marin's powerful lineup. Alex Davis singled and went to second on a single by MacLean Meyn before Adam Hussain launched the next pitch out of the stadium for a three-run home run. Not to be out done, four batters later Marcus Chiu smashed a two run shot to give Marin the 5-0 advantage. It was Chiu's third homer of the week, fifth in the last six games, and sixth of the season.
Laney did not go quietly as they cut into Marin's lead in the top of the third inning. Back to back singles began the inning before an error scored a run and put runners on second and third. A single and sac fly drove in two more to reduce COM's advantage to 5-3. Laney added their fourth run in the top of the fourth inning on a single and RBI double.
Marin rebuilt a portion of the lead in the bottom half of the fourth with a two out rally. Christian Merriwether was hit by a pitch and advanced to third on a single by Dominic Burke. A wild pitch scored Merriwether while Burke moved to second. He scored on a single by Chiu who in turn stole second and scored on a single by Jakob Davidson to give the Mariners an 8-4 lead.
Marin was unable to pull away as Laney rallied once again in the top of the fifth, scoring a pair of runs on a double, walk, wild pitch and pair of run scoring outs to make the score 8-6. Laney pulled within one at 8-7 as Broderick Reed led off the seventh with a solo homerun. Laney put two on with one out, but were denied the chance to tie the game.
Back to back doubles by Chiu and Davidson plated Marin's ninth run in the bottom of the seventh. Meyn increased the lead to 10-7 as he lined a single to drive in Davidson.
Laney was held scoreless until the top of the ninth when they put runners on the corners with two outs. A stolen base and an error scored Laney's eighth, but Marin's Bret Bowyer struck out Victor Gomez to earn the save and preserve his team's win.
Marin's Dominic Garihan earned the win with his five innings as a starter. He allowed six runs (four earned), with four strikeouts and a pair of walks. Wutsch threw one and a third before Bowyer hurled the final two and two third frames for the save. Chiu and Davidson both had three hits and combined for five RBI and four runs scored.
The victory evened the Mariners' record at 9-9 in non-conference play. They will began their Bay Valley slate with a three game series against Contra Costa College on Tuesday, March 14th.