Mt. San Jacinto College sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring nine times, and the Eagles never looked back, shutting out San Bernardino Valley College 16-0 on Tuesday afternoon.
SBVC starter Carlos Sernas retired leadoff batter Joseph Wall to open the game, then struggled with his control. He walked two and hit two more in the inning. He looked to be out of the inning with limited damage, but number nine hitter Brian Wolford kept the inning alive by reaching first after catcher Tristian Macias had troubles handling the third strike. In all, Sernas only last two-thirds of the inning, allowing eight runs (only two earned) for the loss.
Meanwhile, Mt. San Jacinto starter Francisco Martinez kept the Wolverines offense off balance throughout the game. He pitched a complete game, striking out seven while only allowing four hits.
Trevor Castillo extended the Eagles' lead in the third, hitting a towering three-run home run over the screen in left field. The Eagles put up another three spot in the eighth, with a single run in the seventh to complete the scoring.
The Wolverines got two runners in the second and fourth innings, but could not get a timely hit to start any kind of rally. SBVC's four hits were spread among four different players, with Jason Lopez reaching base twice -- once on a walk, and another on a hit by a pitch.
The two teams will close out the season with a game Thursday at Mt. San Jacinto, and the finale at 2 p.m. Friday at SBVC.