Game 1: The Red Hawks jumped out to the early lead with two runs in the first inning and another run in the second inning. The Golden Eagles got one run back in the second inning.
After each team scored a run in the fourth inning, the score remained a two-run game with the Red Hawks hanging on to a 4-2 advantage. Simpson increased the advantage to 7-2 by scoring three runs in the third inning.
La Sierra was able to get one of those runs back in the bottom half of the fifth inning. Trailing 7-3 heading into the last half inning of the game, the Golden Eagles mounted a comeback that fell just short. After loading the bases and pushing three runs across, to cut the lead to 7-6, the Golden Eagles were one hit away from tying and potentially winning in walk-off fashion, but were unable to finish off the comeback.
Matt Zurita finished the game going 3-for-3 with one RBI, while Dakota Heredia entered as a pinch-hitter tallying two RBI's on a 2-for-2 performance. John Salinas also collected two hits while driving in a run.
Despite the loss, the Golden Eagles out-hit the Red Hawks 11-8 but were unable to overcome five errors.
Game 2: Similar to Game 1, the Golden Eagles found themselves playing catch-up early as the Red Hawks jumped out to a 3-0 lead.
The Golden Eagles answered with a run in each of the first two innings to trail 3-2, but Simpson pushed their lead back to three runs, scoring two runs of their own in the top half of the third inning.
The Red Hawks pushed their lead to 6-3 with another run in the top half of the seventh inning, only to see the Golden Eagles explode for four runs in the bottom half of the inning to capture the lead, at 7-6.
It was a lead that would prove to be short-lived after Simpson scored two runs in their half of the eighth inning, recapturing the lead 8-7. But the Golden Eagles would not be denied as they answered with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning to take the lead for good, 9-8.
Davron Maxey drove in three runs, with three hits in four at-bats. Zurita had another big game going 3-for-4 with two RBI's, while Salinas notched two RBI's of his own and scoring two runs, finishing the game 2-for-3.
Michael Zurita came out of the bullpen, pitching the final two innings in relief, to pick up the victory for the Golden Eagles. Also factoring in the game was Victor Mena who pitched five impressive innings, out of the bullpen, giving up one run on four hits, with six strikeouts against only one walk.
The baseball team is now 5-11 on the season. They will be back in action on Sunday when they travel to Cal State San Marcos for an afternoon doubleheader. They will return home next Friday, February 20, when they host Bethesda University.
