College of Marin Baseball began their 2020 season with a home game featuring a giveaway of heart palpitations for all fans in attendance. Tied at two with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, the Mariners loaded the bases without a hit for Jacob Berg. The sophomore did not disappoint as he lined a single deep to left, plating Tyler Shelley and winning the game for the Mariners 3-2 over the Sierra College Wolverines.
Both teams scored a pair of runs early on, followed by a trading of zeros after the third inning. Shelley pitched a scoreless top of the ninth, but the Mariners looked unlikely to win in regulation after two quick outs to start the bottom half.
Eric Woodrow pinch hit for Trent Free and worked a walk. Nick George followed with a walk of his own, before a pinch-hitting Chris Blyskal also walked. Shelley entered as a pinch runner for Woodrow as Berg came to the plate. The Mariners' centerfielder worked the count in his favor before delivering the game winning blast to left.
Marin's pre-ninth inning offense was limited to the first inning as Jacob Berg led off with a walk. Sophomore shortstop Anthony Pomilia followed with a hard shot to left that cleared the fence for a two-run homer.
Sophomore Matt Lozovoy started on the mound for Marin and allowed two runs in five innings. He yielded both in the top of the second as Sierra led off with a single, and followed with a single and sacrifice fly to tie the game at 2-2. Lozovoy limited Sierra to two singles and two walks through his final three innings on the hill.
Zach Tonnerre made his Mariners debut in the sixth and threw three scoreless innings allowing three hits and two walks in the process. Shelley pitched a scoreless ninth with two strikeouts and earned the victory.
Marin recorded just three hits in the game, but they came when it mattered most. Berg had two hits, two walks and scored a run, in addition to his game ending hit. The Mariners hitters tallied seven walks, but also struck out 11 times in the game.
The undefeated Mariners continue their opening homestand with a game on Saturday, January 25th against the Reedley College Tigers at 11am.
