The Raiders played an outstanding baseball game at home against Bakersfield on Feb. 13 at 2 p.m.

Raiders’ pitcher No. 26 Jeremy Polon almost had a no-hitter game until the last inning of the game. The entire game he did not let up any hits but Polon let up his first hit for the Renegades in the ninth inning.

“It is what it is, they are a good team,” said Polon. “It is going happen; just let them put the ball in play.”

Sophomore infielder Mason Harvey hit a double to start off the game but the Raiders did not get any runs which ended the first inning with a score of 0-0. At the bottom of the second, sophomore Douglas Gragg hit a single making No. 5 Patrick Valdez up to bat. His single gave the Raiders a third out. At the end of two plays the score was still 0-0.

In the bottom of the third inning, freshman outfielder Jason Hyman brought in the first run from No.13 Dominic Ruggiero’s RBI. Next to bat was sophomore Jake Baer, who hit a single for an RBI, bringing Ruggiero in to make the score 2-0 at the bottom of the third. At the end of the third, the Raiders had two and Renegades nothing.

“I think it was a well-rounded game,” said Ruggerio. “We were feeling pretty good throughout the entire game.”

With the bases loaded at the bottom of the fifth, the Raiders brought in two runs by freshman outfielder Leighton DeMello and Ruggiero. Valdez got a walk and sophomore outfielder No. 8 John Abate came in with another run. After five innings of play the Raiders were still in the lead with the score of 5-0.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Renegades immediately got three outs which switched back to the Raiders batting. At the end of the sixth, the Raiders still held the lead giving the Renegades no hits.

With the game almost coming to an end, sophomore pitcher Polon let up a hit for the Renegades and got them a double. After this play the Raiders ended up switching pitchers to freshman pitcher Valdez. The Raiders didn’t let the Renegades get any runs which ended the score at 5-0.

With much excitement over how the game ended, Coach Vessella couldn’t be more proud of the team.

“This game was absolutely fantastic,” said Vessella. “When your starter does what he does and has a no-hitter in eight and two-thirds, it is amazing.”

The Raiders’ next home game will be Sat. Feb 17 at 12 p.m. against LA Valley. The team is excited for another game, according to Vessella.

“Saturday is going be a big one,” said Vessella. “We are looking forward to it.”