Monarchs shutout Wildcats in conference opener

Three Valley College pitchers combine for a shutout and only allow two hits.

By Nicholas Orozco, Sports Editor

Valley college freshamn second baseman Luis Torres belts one into center field to start the fith inning off against the West Los Angeles college Bobcats in their first matchup of the Monarchs Western State Conference season at Valley College on Tuesday March 7th, 2023. (Xavier Dubon | Valley Star)

After struggling in the pre-season play, the Monarchs brought it back by shutting out the Wildcats and winning 8-0 in their first game of conference play.

Valley College (9-8, 1-0 WSC) hosted West LA College (3-12, 0-1 WSC) on Tuesday afternoon. To start conference play, the Monarchs called upon freshman Daniel Tovar.

“We wanted to start conference on the right note,” said the starter. “It felt pretty good.”

Tovar would throw six innings allowing one hit and striking out seven batters. Following the starter, sophomore Andy Rodriguez and freshman James Coker were on the mound to finish the job.

The three would combine to shut out West LA, holding them to two hits. Marking the first shutout from the pitching staff this season.

On the offensive, the bats would start immediately as in the first inning Valley would put up two runs. A single from freshman Sean David that scored sophomore Tyler Olivas and a bases-loaded walk from Elvis Park allowed sophomore Bobby Velasco to touch home.

“We’ve kinda been struggling offensively during games,” said Tovar. “Today taking off with two runs in the first felt amazing.”

The Monarchs would not score again until the fifth inning when they would add another four runs.

Freshman Luis Torres would score from an error that followed a double off the bat of freshman Royce Clayton Jr., he would eventually touch home with a single from Olivas.

The fifth inning would top off with a double from David that scored Velasco and freshman Max Aude.

With their last opportunity to bat in the eighth inning, Valley continued to pour in runs on the Wildcats. With runners on base from back-to-back walks, Clayton Jr. would hit a double over the left fielder's head scoring sophomore Jack Coscuella and freshman Tino Valdez.

With being up 8-0 in the top of the ninth inning, Coker would nail the coffin on West LA by going three up, three down.

“You wanna take it one game at a time and Daniel Tovar put us on a game start,” said head coach Dave Mallas following the dominant victory.

Valley will next travel to West LA on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. to play the second of a three-game series.