LA Valley College, aided by three crucial Moorpark errors, lead 7-1 after four innings. The Raiders surged back in the seventh, powered by Dalton Duarte’s three- run bases clearing double, only to lose, 8-7, in the sun at Raiders Stadium.
With a run in and two outs in the first inning, a Raiders defensive error led to two of the Monarchs three runs. A throwing error on a successful bunt attempt put runners at the corners with no outs in the third for Valley, and back-to-back base hits drove home two additional runs.
“You can’t make that many errors and win a game,” head coach Mario Porto said. “We didn’t play good for half the game and it cost us. You’ve got to play the whole nine innings. We didn’t play well, and we didn’t pitch well. That’s what bothers me.”
A third Raiders error in the fourth inning led to two additional runs for the Monarchs. With one out, first baseman, Nick Snyder’s base hit drove home the runner from second, who had reached first on a throwing error. A base on ball forced in another run with the bases loaded and two outs.
Down 8-1 in the seventh, Moorpark’s comeback started with Terrell Tate’s single. Riley Conlan’s base hit to center moved the runner to second with one out. Parker Hindle’s hit loaded the bases, and Garrett Serino’s infield hit drove in the Raiders second run. With the bases loaded and two out, Duarte’s double to left center cleared the bases, adding three key runs.
“That’s the second ball I’ve hit in the left center gap,” Duarte said. “I did it first against Rio Hondo a few weeks ago. That’s exactly where I want to hit it every time. I finally figured it out. I just wanted to get my swing there.”
“We still can make the playoffs,” Serino said. “We just have to get on a roll. One loss we can allow, other than that [who knows?] We’ve got to take one from Ventura.”
Tate’s infield hit with one out started things for Moorpark in the eighth. Garrett Keeber’s hit followed, and with runners at the corners and two outs, Tate stole home on an infield error. Hindle’s double drove in the runner from second, adding the another run. However, Serino’s base hit was wasted when an accurate throw from centerfield cut down the potential tying run in a cloud of dust at the plate.
“I just wish I was safe at home on that last play,” Hindle said. “I got thrown out. That was rough. Now we have to come out the next few games and start winning.”
Moorpark defeated Taft College, 12-4, at Raider Stadium on Good Friday, bringing its overall record to 16-13, and 7-10 in conference. The next home game will be against Cuesta College on Saturday, April 11 at 1:00 p.m.
