Baseball team gets tripped up in ninth against San Diego City

Baseball team gets tripped up in ninth against San Diego City

Irvine Valley's baseball team couldn't make it four wins in a row.

San Diego City scored five runs in the top of the ninth inning and went on to beat Irvine Valley, 6-1, on Tuesday afternoon in a non-conference game at IVC.

Irvine Valley was trying to match its longest win streak of the season. The Lasers opened up the season with four straight wins.

Irvine Valley got another strong outing from sophomore starting pitcher Justin Zielinski.

Zielinski earned a no decision in the contest. He pitched eight innings and allowed one run on five hits with one strikeout.

The only run he gave up was a solo home run to San Diego City's Cory Russell in the top of the third inning.

Irvine Valley answered with a run in the bottom of the third inning.

Freshman designated hitter Alex Diaz doubled to left field. He was moved to third base on a grounder by freshman left fielder Clint Jack and then Diaz scored on a base hit through the left side by freshman center fielder Dillon Millar.

The game stayed tied, 1-1, until the top of the ninth inning.

IVC had a chance to move in front in the bottom of the eighth, but left sophomore right fielder Brett Hamilton, who had singled earlier in the frame, stranded at third base.

San Diego City scored its five runs in the top of the ninth on four hits, two fielder's choices and one error.

The Knights took the lead for good on a RBI single by Ricky Klieberstein. Gabriel Santana later knocked in two runs with an double to left center.

Freshman Joseph Chacon took the loss in relief for IVC. His record fell to 2-1.

Chacon gave up the five runs (four earned) on four hits.

Freshman Alex Brenes got the last two outs of the inning in the ninth for the Lasers.

Brien Grant earned the win in relief for San Diego City. He pitched 1.2 innings and allowed just one walk.

Kyle Peeler started on the mound for the Knights and went 7.1 innings. He gave up one run on seven hits with two walks and two strikeouts.

Millar ended up 2 for 3 with one RBI to lead IVC's offense.

Scott Martinez went 2 for 5 and Alberto Robles was 2 for 3 for San Diego City.

Irvine Valley plays again on Friday at Los Angeles Harbor at 2 p.m. The Lasers are then home on Saturday, hosting Long Beach City at noon.