Community College Baseball: Saenz belts game-winning three-run homer for OCC

COSTA MESA — Austin Saenz ripped a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the Orange Coast College baseball team a dramatic 6-3 win over College of the Desert on Friday at Wendell Pickens Field.

The Pirates (8-2), who trailed for most of the game before scoring two runs in the eighth and three in the ninth, have won seven of their last eight games. The loss drops the Roadrunners to 2-7.

Saenz’s blast, his first of the season, helped give the win to starter Kyle Dowty, who pitched a complete-game gem for his first win of the year.

Dowty allowed just one earned run over nine innings on eight hits, walking two and striking out five.

After some early trouble, the sophomore regrouped and pitched effectively the rest of the way.

The comeback spoiled a solid pitching performance by COD starter Greg Turner, who allowed just one run on three hits over six innings.

He walked nobody, struck out three and left the game with a 3-1 lead.

The Pirates and Roadrunners will wrap up their three-game series on Saturday at OCC, beginning at noon

— From OCC Athletics