Sophomore pitcher John Ortega (Downey HS) went eight innings and struck out 10, while freshman first baseman George Sanchez (Gahr HS) delivered a two-run triple in the ninth inning to help lead the Cerritos College baseball team to a 6-2 South Coast Conference win at Pasadena City College on Thursday. The victory improved the Falcons record to 13-3 in the SCC, while they are now 22-13 on the season. Cerritos maintains their two-game lead over El Camino College (10-4) and hold a three-game edge over both Long Beach City College and East Los Angeles College, who are both 10-6 in SCC play. The Falcons will now start a two-game series with last place Los Angeles City College (2-12) on Saturday and host the Cubs at noon.

    Ortega was cruising along with a 3-0 lead through the first six innings before the Lancers scored twice in the seventh inning. The Falcons then scored three times in the ninth for a comfortable four-run edge, with freshman John Garcia (El Rancho HS) pitching the ninth inning. On the day, Ortega allowed eight hits and two runs, while he struck out 10 batters, which included striking out the side in the fifth inning.

    Cerritos opened a 1-0 lead in the second inning, as Sanchez and freshman designated hitter AJ Rodriguez (Gahr HS) both walked to lead off the inning. After two outs were recorded, freshman third baseman Jared Olsen (Sonora HS) drove in Sanchez with a base hit. In the third, sophomore shortstop Jerry Pena (Los Altos HS) led off with a base hit and stole second. After Sanchez singled to put runners on first and third, Rodriguez drew a walk to load the bases. Lancer pitcher Trent Williams was replaced by Justin Meza, who started by walking freshman second baseman Brandon Pesante (La Mirada HS) for a run. Freshman catcher Mario Romero (Los Altos HS) followed with an RBI sacrifice fly for a 3-0 lead.

    With the game now close at 3-2, the Falcons were able to add to their lead in the ninth inning. Pena walked to open the ninth inning, followed by a base hit from sophomore outfielder Trever Blood (La Mirada HS). That set up Sanchez (3-for-4, 3 runs), who tripled into the right-field corner, scoring both runners, while he came home on a base hit by Rodriguez to close out the scoring.