College of Marin closed out their 2019 home slate with a shutout loss to the Mendocino College Eagles on Thursday. The Mariners had hopes of building on Tuesday's victory over Los Medanos but were stymied by Eagles' starter Karter Koch and reliever Gary Grosjean. Marin could muster just three hits and three walks in the game. Four Mariners' pitchers combined to allow four runs to the Eagles, highlighted by Bay Valley Conference Player of the Year Joe Brazil's long home run. Despite the loss, Marin is on track for another postseason berth.
Matthew Lozovoy made his final start of the regular season and immediately fell victim to some shoddy defense. A trio of errors by the Mariners' infield loaded the bases with one out but Lozovoy managed to keep Mendocino scoreless with a pop out and strikeout.
Marin failed to score in the bottom of the first and Mendocino took the lead in the second. A walk, stolen base and flyout put a runner on third with one out. After a walk and a fielder's choice kept runners at the corners, a double steal of second and home plated the Eagles' first run.
Marin had a chance to respond in the bottom half, with two on and no outs but a double play and a strikeout ended their threat.
Joe Brazil led off the third with a homer to dead center that doubled Mendocino's lead to 2-0. Lozovoy pitched through the fourth inning for Marin before he was relieved by Ryan Moyer. The sophomore threw three innings and pitched around trouble in each inning. The Eagles added their third run in the sixth off a fielder's choice.
Marin's offense struggled the entire game though they had baserunners in almost every inning but could not deliver a run scoring hit. Mendocino added their fourth run of the game in the eighth off Cody McGunagle. The Mariners went down in order in the ninth and fell by a final score of 4-0.
Marin could muster only three hits one short of their four errors they committed on the day. Lozovoy was tagged with the loss, as he allowed two runs in four innings with four strikeouts.
Joe Brazil had two hits including a home run for Mendocino while Anthony Pomilia, Landen Moran and Conor Bardue each recorded singles for Marin.
The Mariners' final game of the Bay Valley Conference Tournament is Friday, April 26th at Laney College with first pitch scheduled for 2:30pm.
