College of Marin Baseball was denied their chance at a win on Wednesday against the Folsom Lake Falcons. The visitors from up I-80 took a first inning lead and never looked back in a 10-4 loss for the Mariners. The undefeated Falcons handed Marin their seventh straight loss in the face of difficult competition. Trent Free homered for the Mariners but it was not enough to break their streak.
Matt Lozovoy started for Marin and was hit around in the first before he recorded a single out. An error, bunt single and hit by pitch loaded the bases for Folsom Lake before three singles plated four runs for the Falcons.
The Mariners did not go quietly as they responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning. Conor Bardue delivered a bases loaded single coupled with an error to score a pair. Free followed with a single of his own to cut Marin's deficit to 4-3 after the first inning.
The Falcons added single runs in the second, fifth and sixth to lead 7-3. Free belted a homer for the Mariners in the bottom of the sixth to bring Marin within a trio at 7-4. Folsom Lake failed to score in the seventh and the Mariners brought the tying run to the plate in the bottom half, but Joey Loveless grounded out to end the inning.
Folsom Lake retaliated with two more runs in the eighth and another run in the ninth to finalize their 10-4 victory.
Lozovoy pitched the first four innings of the game and allowed six runs (five earned) with eight hits and three walks. Zach Tonnerre followed with four innings of solid ball. Allowing three runs (two earned) with two hits and a walk. Nick George pitched the ninth and allowed a solitary run to the visiting Falcons.
The Mariners mustered nine hits on the day, three of which belonged to Trent Free. He had a pair of RBIs and a run to go with his homer. Jacob Berg had two hits and scored a run while Nick Caravello had a pinch hit double.
The loss was the Mariners seventh in eight games however their opponents in those seven games have just two combined losses.
Next up for Marin is a road game at West Valley on Friday, February 7th.