(Walnut, CA) The Mt. SAC Baseball team, with 47 runs in the last four games, connected for 14 runs on 18 hits Tuesday night (March 8) as they defeated visiting Barstow, 14-1, in a non-conference game at Mazmanian Field. With the win, the Mounties improved to 12-6 overall.
With a game-high four RBIs, sophomore centerfielder Brent Cota (2-4, RBI), had a double and a stolen base and made a great play in the outfield.
"It feels good," said Cota, of his performance. "Just another day at the yard and it feels good to be here. It's a brotherhood and I love it and consider this a home. I couldn't ask to be at a better place."
Highlighting Cota's at-bats was a two-run RBI double in the three-run fourth, scoring left fielder Logan Corthell and right fielder Jacob Moreno to increase the lead to 11-0.
In addition, making his college debut on the mound this season was right-hander Alec Beck. The freshman started and went four innings, scattering three hits and struck out four batters.
"It feels great to be out here," Beck said. "Another day to play baseball, especially at this level and in this program. It feels great to be out here and to get a start.
"They told me (Monday) that I was starting, and I was really excited and anxious for the game, especially before the game. I couldn't even sit down because I was so excited. I was really happy to have the opportunity."
The opportunity started out with a bang, as he allowed a single to the first batter, but a bizarre end to the play resulted in an out at the plate.
After the ball got away from the right fielder and the runner racing to third, the eventual relay from second baseman Will Bermudez to catcher Jose Marquez nailed the runner at the plate.
Unfortunately for the runner, he was a couple feet short of home on his slide.
"I knew my guys had my back and when he was rounding third, I knew we were going to get him," Cota explained. "He dove early, and his hand was short of the plate. I've never seen a play like that."
As for Beck, Mt. SAC coach John Knott enjoyed what he saw from Beck.
"Alec Beck was fun to watch," Knott said. "He came out pounding the zone, was really competitive and had good command of his fastball, his breaking ball, and threw his changeup when he had to which set the tone for us. I thought he did a great job.
Over the next eight innings, Barstow would only get two more hits and one run. In fact, the four Mt. SAC relievers, Kegan Wentz, Anthony Corrales, Steven Vasquez, and Josiah Garcia, wouldn't allow a hit following Cota's four innings of work.
Six of the Mounties' 18 hits went for extra bases, which included doubles by Bermudez (3-3, 3 R, Tpl., RBI, SB), Damien Delgadillo (2-5, R, RBI, SB, Sac Fly) and Marquez (1-4, R, RBI). Designated hitter Hector Almaraz (1-3, R) added the other triple.
Three other players – shortstop Elijah Pelayo (2-4, R, RBI, 2 SB), Moreno (2-3, 2 R, RBI) and Corthell (2-4, 4 R, 2 RBIs, SB) also had two hits each in the game.
The Mounties scored in six of their eight innings, including one in the first, four in the second and three runs in the third and fourth innings to blow the game open for the 11-0 lead.
"These guys (hitting) have really bought into the approach that we have about hitting the ball where it's pitched and being able to drive in a run and be aggressive on the bases," said Knott, of his offensive outburst lately.
"It's been fun to see these guys kind of continue to transition and develop. It definitely was loose (Tuesday) and it felt like a lot of fun. We had several guys that either got their first college start or opportunity to get some at-bats that haven't had very many."
Mt. SAC continues non-conference action on Thursday (March 10) as it will host Cerro Coso. The game time is 5:00 pm.
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For additional information, please contact the Mt. SAC Sports Information Office at 909.274.4630.