Mission Squanders Lead Against No. 1

Kirk Romo’s home run in the top of the ninth gave Mission College a one-run lead, but the Free Spirit gave up two runs in the bottom of the inning and lost to Rancho Santiago, 3-2, in the first round of the Fullerton baseball tournament Wednesday in Santa Ana.

Rancho Santiago, ranked No. 1 in the nation, rallied with three hits and a sacrifice fly in the ninth.

With one out, Eddie Mejia singled off reliever Frank Torres (0-3). After Mejia stole second base, Cory Williams laid down a sacrifice bunt and reached safely when Torres hesitated before throwing.

Mission Coach Randy Cooper said players in the Dons’ dugout baited Torres by yelling “third,” and Cooper claimed the umpires erred in not enforcing college baseball’s new verbal interference rule.

Mejia scored to make the score 2-2 when Josh Reding followed with a sacrifice fly. Joe Secoda doubled in the winning run for Rancho Santiago (24-2).

Starter Albert Palma gave up one run through eight innings for Mission (11-15), allowing three walks and a single in the fifth.