Brahmas sink Monarchs with five-run inning

Valley College and coach Dave Mallas use the fall season to test new arms with little to no success thus far.

By Nicholas Orozco, Sports Editor

Jack Coscolluela receives a throw from catcher making an attempt to throw runner out at second. (Griffin O'Rourke | Valley Star)

The Valley College Monarchs faced the Pierce College Brahmas in a 10-inning contest Tuesday, and due to defensive and pitching mistakes fell 11-8.

In their fourth match up this fall, Valley struggled to keep the bats consistent with mental mistakes on the defense. With the final score of 11-8, in favor of the Brahmas, Valley found more offensive power — yet it was not enough.

Valley’s pitching struggled as they allowed big and consistent hits. The freshmen on the team have been struggling these past few contests as they are attempting to find their new approaches to batters and gain a new arsenal of pitches.

“We did a lot of good things and we saw a lot of things that we need to get better at,” said head coach Dave Mallas following the game. He added that the team needs more consistent pitching staff, more consistent offense, and the ability of his defense to make the routine plays.

Each team started the game with their pitchers making quick work in the first inning. During the bottom of the second, the scoring began as the Monarchs put up two runs.

Pierce responded to Valley by scoring a run in the top of the third, cutting the Monarch’s lead to 2-1. Valley plated three more runs in the bottom of the third to push their lead to 5-1.

The Brahmas grabbed the momentum in the fourth inning when Pierce hit a three-run bomb over the left field fence off of sophomore pitcher Andy Rodriguez. This trimmed the lead to 5-4, and then the Monarchs responded in the bottom of the inning with a run making 6-4.

The Brahmas continued to pour on runs by scoring five in the fifth with a string of multiple base hits.

“Who would’ve known they would hit eight straight hits during that inning,” said Mallas.

Incoming freshman Wesley Mollinedo has been able to step up to the challenge as he pitched two innings. He held the Brahmas to one run over two innings.

“We had six freshman throw towards the back end,” Mallas said. “That’s who struggled and some did well, but that's gonna happen when you have freshman.”

For both squads, they managed to put one run a piece in both the seventh and eighth inning, making the score to 11-7.

Going into the tenth, the Monarchs did not allow the Brahmas to score another run and managed to score a run themselves, losing the game 11-8.

Valley will host Oxnard College at 2 p.m.