A pair of two-out rallies in the eighth and ninth innings propelled the San Bernardino Valley College baseball team to a 10-9 victory over Grossmont College on Tuesday afternoon.
SBVC trailed 9-8 heading into the eighth inning, and with two outs, Tyler Bardowell ripped a double past third baseman Joshua Verdon. Bardowell was replaced at second by Ethan Anderegg, and he came home on Patrick Perez's follow-up single, drawing the Wolverines even.
In the ninth, again with two outs, and extra innings on the overcast, rainy afternoon, Samuel Pulido dropped a single into left-center field. Leadoff hitter Edward Aldama followed by pulling a ball into the gap in right-center field. Pulido raced around from first, sliding in safely without a throw making it home, setting off a wild celebration for the second consecutive home game.
The Wolverines bolted out to a 5-1 lead after two innings, as SBVC battered Grossmont starter Ian Thompson for seven hits and six runs over the first two-plus innings. Jesse McGonigal hit his second home run in as many home games, as he sent a fly ball over the white line in left field to give the Wolverines a 6-4 lead after three.
SBVC starter Cody Milner also struggled, as he gave 10 hits and eight runs (four earned) in 3 1/3 innings, as the Wolverines' defense struggled early on - committing four errors in the game. But Avery Rivera came in and settled things down, going 2 2/3 innings, allowing two hits, before he gave way to Dylan Borges in the seventh. But the defense did come up big, squashing a pair of Grossmont rallies by turning two double plays, including an inning-ending double play from Rivera to catcher McGonigal to first baseman Perez.
Meanwhile, the offense was pounding out 17 hits in total Tuesday afternoon. Peter Roldan was 3-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Derek Bogh was 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, while Jaden Burns also had two RBI. Aldama ended 3-for-5 with the game-winning RBI.