COMMUNITY COLLEGE REGIONAL BASEBALL PLAYOFFS : Rancho Santiago Wins Two, Needs Two More

Strong pitching helped Rancho Santiago win two games Saturday in Southern California Regional play.

But the Dons must win two games today to keep playing this season.

Rancho Santiago must sweep Riverside in two games starting at noon to advance to the State tournament next weekend in Sacramento.

A Riverside victory will put the Tigers (35-12) in the State tournament for the second consecutive year.

David Goldstein (7-1) pitched seven-plus innings, and J.J. Thobe was perfect in two innings of relief as Rancho Santiago defeated Cerritos, 2-1. The loss eliminated Cerritos (28-16-2). The Falcons lost to Riverside, 5-4, earlier Saturday.

Rancho Santiago had eliminated San Diego Mesa, 9-2, Saturday. Jay Hassel (6-1) pitched a nine-hitter in the victory.

Riverside (35-12) is expected to start Bert Horn (5-1) today. Rancho Santiago Coach Don Sneddon isn’t sure who will get the call for the Dons.

“Give me a minute to enjoy today,” he said. “Heck, I have to drive the bus home, that will give me some time to think about it. All I will say is that no one will be ruled out.”

Rancho Santiago scored in the first and third innings against Cerritos. Mark Wasikowski walked, stole second and scored on a single by Sean Ramos in the first inning.

Raul Rodarte singled, went to second on a wild pitch, and scored on a single by Robin Lindsey in the third. Rodarte is 13 for 23 in five playoff games.

Cerritos scored in the sixth on a triple by Robert Matos and single by Adam Millan. Cerritos loaded the bases on two walks, but Goldstein got Greg Bergeron to ground out to end the inning.

Millan and Mike Hubel each singled to start the eighth, and Goldstein was relieved by Thobe. Eddie Davis tried to sacrifice, but Thobe fielded the ball and threw to third to force the lead runner.

Thobe then struck out Jeff Horn on a full-count pitch, and Hubel was caught in a rundown to end the inning.

Thobe retired Cerritos in order in the ninth to improve his Rancho Santiago single-season record for saves to 11, which also is the career record.

The victory was the single-season record 40th for Rancho Santiago (40-10).

In an earlier game:

Rancho Santiago 9, San Diego Mesa 2--Hassel pitched his first complete game of the season. Rancho Santiago broke open a close game with four runs in the fifth to take a 7-2 lead. Rene Arias had a two-run double in the fifth. Another run scored on a wild pitch and Jeremy Sherman had a sacrifice fly in the inning.