College of Marin Baseball delivered on the three fundamental aspects of baseball in Friday's victory. The Mariners pitched effectively, got key hits and played solid defense leading to a 6-2 win on the road. Santa Rosa Junior College recently served as the Mariners home away from home, but on Friday they were the visitors of sorts to the hosting Napa Valley Storm. Will Langan hit a home run for Marin and Matthew Lozovoy struck out 11 in 6.2 innings to earn the victory.
After a scoreless first inning, the Mariners loaded the bases in the top the second for Randy Fernandez. The sophomore shortstop drew a walk and Jacob Berg followed with a hard smash to center that was caught, but plated Dionathan Cornet for a 2-0 Marin lead.
Lozovoy kept the storm off the board and the offense continued to produce in the third. Landan Moran walked and stole second to lead off the third, with one away Casey Armusewicz doubled in Moran and Issac Woldt followed with a single to plate Armusewicz. Langan Jr. homered with two outs in the sixth to push the Mariners advantage to 5-0.
Lozovoy cruised through the first six innings of the game, mowing down the Storm left and right. He struck out at least one batter in every inning. He allowed lead off double to start the seventh but struck out two, looking to strand the batter at third. A passed ball did allow Napa to get on the board but Tyler Quintanilla came on to close out the inning.
Each team scored a single run in the eighth inning but it was merely academic as Cody McGunagle threw a scoreless final frame to seal the Mariners' 6-2 victory.
Lozovoy picked up his second win of the year, he threw 6.2 innings and allowed just one unearned run with 11 strikeouts. Armusewicz had two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored while Fernandez had two hits and two RBIs.
The win improved the Mariners' record to 3-1 in the Bay Valley Conference with a game against Mendocino College on deck for Saturday, March 16th.