A visit from some old friends did not go as planned on Tuesday in Kentfield. Mendocino College Baseball, coached by former COM Head Coach Conor Bird, and former COM player Ryan Burke, came to town and dominated the Mariners to the tune of 9-0. College of Marin managed seven hits, but were unable to push a run across the plate.
Mendocino College scored early as they pushed three runs across in the second inning. A double and single put runners on first and third with nobody out. The following batter lined out to third, but the throw afterwards with mishandled which allowed the runner on third to score. A double and a single followed to plate two more and give the Eagles a 3-0 advantage. The visitors added a fourth run in the top of the fourth on a pair of walks and a fielding error.
The Mariners' offense was stymied for much of the game as only Dominic Burke reached base until the sixth inning. The leadoff hitter had singles in his first three at bats of the game and in the sixth he and Jake Munoz singled with one away. Burke was caught at third in a double steal before a Marcus Chiu single which put runners on the corners with two away. Unfortunately, Adam Hussain struck out to end the threat.
Marin remained quiet while Mendocino added more in the top of the eighth. A double and single and a double plated two more for the Eagles. They added their seventh and eighth runs of the game on a pair of walks, fielder's choice, hit by pitch and a wild pitch to take an 8-0 lead into the bottom of the eighth inning.
Marin went in order in the eighth before Mendocino added another in the ninth on an error a walk and a ground out. Marin loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth but failed to score as they fell by a final score of 9-0.
Chrit Rudkin started for College of Marin and allowed four runs (two earned), in five innings while striking out one and walking two. Chris Allen, Jason Wutsch, Nick Bostow, Bryan Jakiemiec and Jack Hill all followed in relief. Mariners' pitchers combined to allow eight walks while striking out just three opposing hitters.
The second game of the series is scheduled for Thursday, April 6th in Mendocino at 2:30PM.
