By George Alvarez
The Husky baseball team earned its first South Coast Conference win defeating El Camino College Compton Center 10-3 on March 7.
It took a team effort for the Huskies to earn this win. The team fought off pitches, had aggressive base running and used fundamental techniques to move over in order to score base runners.
There were five players that had one or more Runs batted in. Huskies sophomore right fielder Ryan Cruz leading the way with three of his own.
ELAC freshman shortstop Shun Tsunoda hit a perfect 4-for-4 with fundamental bunting to lead the way. Huskies Catcher Brandon Hernandez also was a key contributor going 2-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and a walk.
Tsunoda played his game according to head Coach James Hines.
“(He) did what he’s suppose to do,” Hines said.
Not to mention, Tsunoda scored on three of his four hits by teammates rallying him at their at bats.
Making defensive stops according to Hines included the double plays that were crucial to winning the game. ELAC’s pitching was favorable because it resulted in fly-outs, and grounders into the infield.
The Huskies strong defensive push made Compton go three up and three down. The first run of the game didn’t come until the top of the second inning by Compton’s Louis Johnson’s single bringing home Randy Rubio.
After that, ELAC took over offensively. The Huskies’ first run was all in part by Tsunoda and freshman second baseman Javier Garcia hit back-to-back singles that would advance their base position.
A grounder to first base by Husky sophomore outfielder Samuel Medina would end the second inning leaving the score at 2-1.
Three innings later, ELAC would continue their imposing defense by preventing a key stolen base by Johnny Conde of Compton. As well as not allowing Compton’s players put the ball in play.
Cruz with his first start of the season didn’t disappoint. He played great on the defense and on the plate with clutch hits according to Hines.
The Huskies offense seemed overwhelming making Compton use six different pitchers in the game. Compared to only one change in that was in top of the seventh inning for themselves.
Huskies freshman pitcher George Alamillo (2-1) pitched through six innings earning his second win in conference. He gave up eight hits, three runs and two walks.
ELAC freshman Pitcher Diego Gutierrez pitched the rest of the game allowing two hits and no runs. ELAC had thrown four strikeouts total between their two pitchers.While Compton couldn’t get a rhythm going with their pitchers, recording four strikeouts between their six pitchers.
Overall, the win gave ELAC a 1-2 record in conference and had given Compton their first conference loss of the season.
ELAC looks to continue its win streak against Pasadena City College at Brookside Park’s Jackie Robinson Memorial Field in Pasadena March 10 at 2:30 p.m.